How to Prepare Your Child for Starting School

The best way to prepare your child for starting school is to focus on independence and familiarity rather than reading or writing. Practise toileting, dressing, opening lunch boxes and asking for help. Talk about school positively, read books about it and visit the building if you can. Shift bedtimes a couple of weeks before term, and keep the first-day goodbye short, warm and confident.

I have done two first days now, one where my daughter marched in without a backward glance and one where my son clung to my leg. Both settled in well. Every child approaches it differently, and that’s completely fine. Here is the plan that helped us, and it works whatever school system you are in.

The skills that matter most before starting school

Teachers generally don’t expect children to arrive reading. What helps children feel confident on the first day is being able to manage small everyday tasks on their own.

If your child can’t do all of these yet, that’s normal. Teachers support children with all of it. Practising simply makes the first weeks feel less overwhelming.

A timeline to prepare your child for starting school

How to talk about school with your child

Children pick up on our feelings, so try to talk about school in a positive, matter-of-fact way, even if you feel emotional. Describe what will happen in simple steps: “You’ll hang up your coat, play with toys, have your lunch, and then I’ll be at the gate to collect you.”

If your child is anxious, listen first. Phrases that help:

Avoid using school as a threat, such as “You won’t be allowed to do that at big school,” because it can make children more worried.

Getting through the first day goodbye

The first few weeks of school