Preperation for primary school

SilverTom

Hi, i have 3 kids in primary school this year coming. 1 in 4th, 1 in 1st, and one going into junior infants. The older ones are reading their own books at night which im quite happy with but should i be doing a bit extra with them, and how should i be preparing the youngest to start school, considering it is the holidays and i dont want to do too much with them maybe 15 or 20 minutes before bed, also im not a teacher but do understand its a stuctured process and dont want to jump the gun. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

Bells21

With the older ones I would encourage them to read for pleasure, choosing books on topics that they're interested in. Kids also need down time and time to be outside and active.
With the youngest starting in junior infants I would read to them and discuss the books with them 'what will happen next I wonder?' etc. Other than that, ensuring that they can get their coat/jumper on and off, open/close lunch boxes/shoes etc.
Ensure that they have language to function away from parents too, as in ensure that they can talk to someone if they have a problem, ask for help etc.

SilverTom

Thanks for advice, i let the older ones go into waterstones and pick the books they were interested in and they enjoy reading them, as i said i dont want to flog it over the holidays will start reading to the little one aswell, thanks again.

Bells21

SilverTom wrote:

Thanks for advice, i let the older ones go into waterstones and pick the books they were interested in and they enjoy reading them, as i said i dont want to flog it over the holidays will start reading to the little one aswell, thanks again.

I know it can be difficult to find a balance especially when you only want what is best for them. Simple things like giving a shopping list and money and waiting outside for them can informally work on maths skills etc without it feeling like a maths lesson.

SilverTom

Bells21 wrote:

I know it can be difficult to find a balance especially when you only want what is best for them. Simple things like giving a shopping list and money and waiting outside for them can informally work on maths skills etc without it feeling like a maths lesson.

That has the potential for disaster we would be living on lolly pops and chocolate spread for the week😂😂😂, but i do see were your coming from.

pooch90

As said above, for your Junior infant, practice putting on/off coat/shoes/jumpers(turning them right way out). Doing lunchbox(opening wrappers/yogurts), sitting down to listen to a story, asking to go to the bathroom(redressing after, washing hands, flushing toilet), blowing nose. Nothing academic but ensure a level of independence. Please don't try to teach them anything as it will all be covered and there's nothing worse than trying to 'unteach' something to a small child.
These are all things I'm asked to do a million times a day as a senior infant teacher Also why I hate Frubes and laced shoes :P

Bells21

You've just made me realise I haven't cleaned a yogurt-y mess in about 3 weeks!!! It's the small things lol!

byhookorbycrook

Infant teachers often end up trying to correct things well meaning parents teach at home before school, such as letter formation , phonics and pencil grip. The best advice is to read to your almost infant - and all the other children too, many parents presume once a child can read for themselves that the child won't want to be read to.

Apart from using the bathroom unaided etc. As listed above , you could play short games where they have to concentrate and listen for say a few minutes at a time and increase the time a little as the holidays progress . .
Jigsaws, matching games , rhymes / rhyming games are all very important in ore reading and won't feel like "school"- they will be in formal education long enough!

byhookorbycrook

@Pooch, the only thing worse than tying laces is realising you have tied wet laces - but it hasn't been raining ....

pooch90

OMG byhook, that hasn't happened to me or I haven't copped. Christ, I never want to be off mat leave!!(2 babies in 2 years)

SilverTom

Thanks for the advice everyone, will put it into practice, already know about the shoes, can only imagine what its like to keep 30 pairs of shoe laces tied, Jesus wept lol.

byhookorbycrook

pooch90 wrote: »

OMG byhook, that hasn't happened to me or I haven't copped. Christ, I never want to be off mat leave!!(2 babies in 2 years)

Which is where the child who CAN tie laces comes in...

byhookorbycrook

SilverTom wrote: »

Thanks for the advice everyone, will put it into practice, already know about the shoes, can only imagine what its like to keep 30 pairs of shoe laces tied, Jesus wept lol.

And don't get me started on the damn straws in Capri- Suns!!:D:D:D:D

pooch90

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Which is where the child who CAN tie laces comes in...

Not many of them in Senior Infants unfortunately
Thankfully not many Capri Suns either.