Grade R preparation covered

It is hard to believe your little one will be attending school soon, there are things you can do to make your child’s transition from home to Grade R easier.

Blankie and doll weaning

The blanket, doll or stuffed animal your child has been lugging around everywhere, for the past couple of years needs to go into semi-retirement.

Read: Back to school for teachers – 10 ways to prepare

Most schools prefer toys not to be brought into class, unless for show-and-tell, so in order to avoid last-minute trauma on the first day of school, start gently weaning your child off any object which they use for comfort.

Clothing and diets

A classroom environment will mean there is slightly less freedom in choices of food types, eating times and clothing choices. Find out what times the school has meal times and the type of foods they do not allow. The dress code at some schools is strict and many do not allow sandals to be worn for safety reasons.

An extra set of clothes will also come in handy for those little accidents.

Knowing the do’s and don’t’s, help to mimic the pattern in preparation for the big day.

Related article: Last minute back-to-school checklist

Age-appropriate school readiness

You can help your child to prepare for Grade R by doing basic skills, such as jigsaw puzzle building, cutting with safe scissors, pencil grip and posture. These do not need to be strenuous activities, as your child may not be able to concentrate for long periods, but rather just fun crafting times at home.

Expressive action

One of amazing things about small children is their ability to absorb information. A great skill to start working on is showing them how to express themselves in story telling. When you go on a nature walk, talk about what you are seeing, and ask them questions. When you get home, ask them to tell you about what they enjoyed most, or what was interesting about your trip.

You may be panicking about how your little one is going to cope with the changes, but if you find out as much as you can, and understand what your child will be going through, it will give you some peace of mind, too.

Also read: Tips to prepare your child for high school