​RISING STARS
Rising Stars is our name for children who are in their final year at Pre-School, before moving onto Infant School
DAYS OF THE WEEK SONG
Days of the week (clap, clap)
Days of the week (clap, clap)
Days of the week, Days of the Week , Days of the week (clap, clap)
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There's Sunday and there's Monday
There's Tuesday and there's Wednesday
There's Thursday and there's Friday
And then there's Saturday too
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Days of the week etc
To the tune of 'The Adam's Family'
LUNCH TIME
PRAYER
Thank you for the world so sweet
Thank you for the food we eat
Thank you for the birds that sing
Thank you God for everything
RISING STARS
SCHOOL READINESS
PACEY (the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years) asked - What does being "School ready" mean ?
* based on previous PACEY research into what child carers, teachers, parents and children felt "being school ready" really means.
The conclusion was that children should have a curiosity about the world and a desire to learn.
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Being School Ready
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​* having strong social skills
* can cope emotionally with being separated from their parents
* are relatively independent in their own personal care
*have a curiosity about the world and a desire to learn.
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Previous research from PACEY shows that almost three quarters (71%) of parents were anxious about their child starting school for the first time in September, with close to half of parents (48%) more anxious than their child about starting school.
HELPING YOUR CHILD PREPARE FOR SCHOOL
There are lots of things you can practise with your child to make sure they are ready when the big day comes. If you can do this over the summer, in a gentle and fun way, it will make the transition to big school all that little bit easier for them.
Even if you know they can manage these practical considerations perfectly well already, it will help your child emotionally to know the ropes and have gone over things a few times. Here are some of the things you can practice in advance:
SELF CARE
Show your child how to tell the left shoe from the right and practice putting them on and taking them off. Avoid shoes with laces for your teacher's sanity. Even if your child can do their own laces, they will constantly unravel. Somehow even double bows don't survive the school day. If your child has new, proper big-school shoes, wear them in over the summer so you don't get to day two or three and find your child won't wear the shoes because "they hurt"
Practice getting dressed and undressed into school uniform. For a start it's a chance to make sure it all fits. But mainly, it helps smooth PE lessons, and provides the added bonus of easier mornings. Even if you are happy to help in the mornings, your child will need to get dressed for PE lessons with maybe just two adults for 30 little ones.
Explain to your child that their clothes are labelled with their name so they can be sure which jumper/skirt/t-shirt is theirs. There's bound to be the odd mix-up from time to time, but it's worth pointing this out to your child so they can start to take ownership for their own possessions when mum's not around to do this for them!
Can your child go to the toilet unaided? Practice this during the holidays, ensuring you allow enough time for them to practice pulling up tights, doing up buttons etc. Schools usually encourage children to all go to the toilet at certain times of the day but they will also be able to ask the teacher.
When leaving for school in the morning try and ensure that your child has been to the toilet at home so that they are not crossing their legs by the time they reach the school playground!
THE END OF THE DAY
Do make sure you're a little early to collect your child at the end of the first few days - even a few minutes late can seem an eternity to a waiting child. Your child will probably be tired and hungry so a healthy snack and some quiet time, with or without you, will be just what they need after school.
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Make listening to your child a priority. They'll probably talk about their day in their own time so avoid pressing your child, but do give them opportunities to talk to you.
LUNCH
During the holidays have a few practice packed-lunch days. Pack a lunch as you will for school. Make it more fun by having it in the garden or park perhaps. Talk about how your child should eat their sandwich and chopped veg or whatever first before eating any cake/biscuit/treat you have put in.
Make sure they can handle their drinks bottle/carton and that they are able to open their lunch box easily. Show them what to do with any left-overs. Ideally suggest they wrap them back up and put them back in the lunchbox - that way you can see what they are eating or not eating.
Some lunch ladies can be quite strict about children eating up everything they've brought so just bear that in mind when thinking of popping in an extra sandwich "just in case". The same with crusts...if your child really won't eat crusts then save them from the lunch-lady by cutting them off!
If your child has school dinners, practice that instead...get them to come up to you in the kitchen and collect their lunch on a little tray and practice carrying it over to the table.
ROUTINE
It is really important to get to know what is expected of you and your child before they start school, so that you don’t tell your child one thing and the school says another.
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Find out about the daily routine from the teacher and let your child know what to expect. For example, many schools start with reading on the mat, the daily register and so on. Knowing what's coming next will help your child make sense of their day.
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Tell stories about what you enjoyed at school and the fun things you did.
Read some positive books about starting school.
If your child is in holiday routine - staying up late and rising late - then one week before term begins change their schedule. Gradually bring their bedtime back to a time suitable for school nights and introduce more regular eating habits with meals at set times.
FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS
Letting children know how you want them to behave at school in a positive way is really helpful, such as “Sharing the toys and listening to the teacher,” rather than what you don’t want such as, “Don’t go fighting and don’t be naughty”, Explaining as much as you think they will understand helps them to be well prepared.
Your feelings will guide your child's emotions. If you approach your child's first day with confidence, using positive words about school, it will help to reduce their anxieties they may be feeling.
Saying goodbye at school may be very emotional for you. But try to send your child off with a smile and a wave along with the reassurance that you'll be there to collect them later.
AND FINALLY...
If you are feeling anxious at the end of an era of Pre-School and toddler groups and fun things with just the two of you.
REMEMBER that you have lots to look forward to such as their first assembly, Christmas play, sports day and lots more!!! Enjoy every moment along with your child!
