At school your child will be meeting lots of new people and make new friendships. Some things to help them get ready include:

Building relationships and communicating

Being with others

• Practising sharing and taking turns with toys
• Talking to them about how they are feeling and why
• Looking at story books together and speaking about what characters are feeling is a good way to do this
• Beginning to recognise what others are feeling, e.g. understanding if a friend is sad
• Encouraging them to set boundaries for themselves and others (e.g. knowing how to say ‘no’)

Communication and language

• Singing along with songs and nursery rhymes
• Talking happily to others about activities, experiences and the world around them
• Showing they need help by speaking clearly (in basic English or sign language)
• Recognising the pattern of their name (so they can find it on their coat peg or jacket)

Listening and engaging

• Paying attention for short periods of time
• Listening to and following simple instructions
• Carrying on with a task even when it’s difficult and bouncing back if things go wrong

For further information and support, please click on the links below

Building relationships and communicating

• The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s Shaping Us Framework outlines how these skills develop in early childhood
• Top tips for enjoying stories together and book recommendations for starting school - Book Trust

Being with others

• Learn how to support your child to make friends - Family Corner
• Understand your child's social development - Words for Life
• Practice sharing with toys - BBC

Communication and language

• You are your child’s first teacher – help them learn how to write their name - Words for Life
• Explore a range of approaches to language learning and development from NHS Start for Life
• Build your child’s imagination and language by making up stories together - BBC
• Child's Progress checker - Speech & Language UK

Listening and engaging

• Follow the walk and talk trail with the National Literacy Trust
• Practice language and listening skills at home with these games - Playing with a cardboard telescope - BBC
• Practice language and listening skills at home with these games - Red Light, Green Light - BBC