School Readiness

I will be ready for school when…..

How can you support me to do this?

I can put on my own coat and fasten it.

• Hold my hood and encourage me to put my arms in sleeves.
• Put the hood on my head so I can do the rest.
• Show me where to position my hands to use my zip.

I can go to the toilet by myself and wash my hands afterwards.

• Let’s play a game where we teach a favourite toy how to use the toilet.
• Let me choose my own underwear in the shops.
• Give me plenty of praise when I go to the toilet and wipe all by myself.
• Let me watch you wash your hands and tell you what to do next.

I can confidently say goodbye when I am left with an adult that I know will look after me.

• Leave me with familiar adults for short periods of time.
• Let me talk to your friends whilst you are there.
• Take me to visit my new teacher and meet all the adults working in my new class.

I have made good friends and can happily talk to other children and adults.

• Take me to Toddler and Children Centre groups.
• Let me play with other children in the park and on outings.
• Let me talk to other adults when you are there.

I can share and take turns in a group.

• Play games with me where I have to wait until it’s my go.
• Make sure I take turns at the park and on outings.
• Talk to me about why I need to share my toys.

I can sit and listen for a short while.

• Read stories to me and look at books.
• Let’s listen to songs together and sing.
• Play hide and seek games where I listen to your instructions.

I can answer a simple question about a story.

• When we are sharing a story ask me about how it might end.
• Ask me about the different pictures I can see on each page.

I can tidy up after myself and look after my things.

• Show me where things are kept so I know where to put them back.
• Play tidy up games with me.
• Let’s tidy up and clean together.

I am happy to speak to others about my wants, needs and feelings.

• Read books like Owl Babies and Peace at Last so we can talk about how the different characters are feeling.
• Ask me how I am feeling.
• Tell me how you are feeling.

I can follow simple instructions.

• Play games with me like find the teddy where I have to follow your instructions.
• Teach me how to make a sandwich saying first get the bread etc. …
• Let’s follow some instructions to bake a cake.

I can re-tell a past event (something that has happened to me).

• Ask me if I remember certain dates/experiences.
• Show me photographs and let me talk about what I remember.
• Let’s make a scrap book after we go on day trips so I can look back and remember.

I can feed myself and enjoy a range of healthy foods.

• Teach me to use a knife, fork, and spoon and make sure I don’t just eat with my hands.
• Provide a variety of meals so I can experience a range of foods.
• Let me help you prepare meals so I can talk about foods and you can teach me new things.

I can dress and undress myself as well as putting on and taking off my shoes.

• Show me my new school uniform and let me practice buttons and zips.
• Show me how to take off my clothes and put them in a pile on the chair ready for PE lessons.
• Buy me some velcro fastening shoes that I can put on and take off my myself.

I can follow rules at home and nursery and I will be able to do this at school.

• Make sure I know what I am allowed to do and not allowed to do.
• Tell me boundaries and make sure I keep to them.
• Let’s make some house rules together.

I enjoy listening to stories and singing rhymes.

• Read me a bedtime story before bed.
• Sing songs with me and rhymes that I can make actions to like ‘head, shoulders, knees and toes’ and ‘wind the bobbin up’ etc.
• Make up stories whilst we are walking so I can listen to them and tell you one too.

I can hold a pencil and enjoy making marks.

• Let me peg out the washing.
• Let’s play with play dough so I can use my finger muscles.
• Let’s draw pictures on the path and paving stones with chunky chalks.