The first week of primary school is a significant milestone for both children and parents. We know because our own daughter starts primary school this year. For all of us parents of lockdown babies It’s a time filled with anticipation, excitement and sprinkled with a little bit of nervousness. We’re sure you will be keen for your little one to have a smooth transition from nursery to primary school, which of course will make a big difference in how your child feels about school, setting the tone for a positive educational experience. Below are our top 10 tips to make your child’s first week of primary school a success:
1. Prepare your child emotionally and mentally
Talk About What to Expect: Discuss your child’s school routine, what kind of activities they might do and explain to them what their first week may look like. Make it sound like an exciting adventure.
Continue to read books about starting school: there are many children’s books that gently introduce the idea of starting school. These stories can help your child understand and process their feelings about starting ‘big school’.
We have a bundle of 6 educational posters, which includes and affirmations and emotions posters. These posters are great for building confidence, increase children’s self esteem, reduced anxiety and assists with your child’s emotional well being. You can purchase the bundle of posters here.
2. Get back into a routine early on
Set bedtime and wake-up routines: now the summer holidays are coming to an end it’s time to re-establish a bedtime and morning routine that aligns with your child’s school hours. A well-rested child is more likely to enjoy their school day!
Practice the morning routine: Practice getting dressed, eating breakfast, and leaving the house on time. This will help prevent any surprises or last-minute chaos.
3. Organise yourself the night before
Lay out their clothes and pack their school bag: prepare everything the night before to avoid a rushed on the first day of school and beyond. Involve your child in packing their bag with essentials like a water bottle, snack, and any school supplies, particularly the night before the first big day.
4. Foster Independence
Teach basic self-care skills: make sure your child knows how to open their lunchbox (if they have one), zip up their jacket, use the bathroom independently and wash their hands properly.
Encourage responsibility: Give your child small responsibilities, such as packing their bag or putting on their shoes. This builds confidence and independence.
5. Create a Positive Goodbye Ritual
Keep goodbyes short and sweet: A quick hug, a kiss and a cheerful “See you later!” can help prevent drawn-out farewells that might increase anxiety.
Stay calm and positive: let’s face it, It’s an emotional time for us parents too. Children pick up on your emotions. If you’re calm and confident, they’re more likely to feel the same way.
6. Connect with your child’s teacher
Introduce Yourself: a quick introduction to your child’s teacher can help build a rapport and open the lines of communication.
Share important information: Inform their teacher about any allergies, preferences, or concerns regarding your child. This ensures they’re prepared to meet your child’s needs.
7. Encourage Open Communication
Ask open-ended questions: Instead of asking, “Did you have a good day?” try questions like “What was the best part of your day?” or “Who did you play with today?”
Listen actively: Give your child your full attention when they talk about their day. This will encourage them to share more in the future.
8. Be patient and supportive
Expect some ups and downs: The first week of school is a BIG adjustment, and it’s normal for children to feel tired, overwhelmed, or emotional. Be patient and provide reassurance.
Celebrate small wins: Celebrate their achievements, whether it’s making a new friend, learning a new concept, or simply getting through the day with a smile.
9. Maintain a calm and positive environment at home
Create a relaxing after-school routine: Allow your child some downtime after school to relax and unwind. A familiar routine at home can provide comfort and stability.
Avoid overloading their schedule: resist the urge to sign them up for too many activities right away. Give them time to adjust to their new school routine. We will only be signing our daughter up for swimming classes during the week and she does gymnastics on a Saturday morning and that will be it for now.
10. Stay Involved and Engaged
Be involved in school activities: Attend parent-teacher meetings, volunteer when possible, and stay informed about school events. This shows your child that you value their education. I have signed myself up to the school’s PTA (Parent Teacher Association). It’s important for me to be involved in her school as much as possible.
Encourage a love for learning: show enthusiasm for learning and reading at home. Your positive attitude towards education will influence your child’s outlook.
The first week of primary school is a memorable and transformative time for your child. By being prepared, patient and positive, you can help your child navigate this important milestone with confidence and excitement! Celebrate this new beginning together and remember that it’s just the start of a wonderful journey in learning and growth!
All the best for your child’s first year of primary school.
Author
Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, women in STEM and the Montessori practice.
The role of play in early childhood development is so important, it is a vital component of learning, especially when it comes to developing early numeracy skills. Lots of playful activities lays a strong foundation for mathematical understanding and helps children grasp complex concepts in a natural and enjoyable way. Here’s our top reasons why play can greatly enhance early numeracy skills in children.
1. Play Builds Basic Number Sense:
Simple counting games that involve counting objects, steps, or even claps can help children understand the concept of numbers and their order. For example, counting the number of blocks while building a tower reinforces numerical sequences.
Also, rhymes and songs with numbers, such as songs like “Five Little Ducks” or “Ten in the Bed” introduce children to counting in a fun and memorable way. These repetitive and rhythmic songs help with basic counting and subtraction concepts.
2. Understanding Quantities and Comparisons:
Sorting and grouping activities, where children group objects by colour, size or type, teach them to recognise patterns and compare quantities. This is fundamental for children to understand more complex mathematical concepts as children grow.
Board games such as, “Snakes and Ladders” or “Monopoly Junior” involve counting spaces and recognising numbers on dice, helps children to associate numbers with quantities and develop a sense of magnitude.
3. Spatial Awareness and Geometry:
Toys like building blocks and Lego allows children to explore shapes, sizes, and spatial relationships. This is due to them constructing structures with blocks or the Lego pieces. Children learn about symmetry, balance, and geometry through hands-on experience with these blocks.
Jigsaw puzzles also enhance spatial reasoning by requiring children to recognise shapes and how they fit together. This skill is crucial for geometry and problem-solving.
4. Recognising Patterns and Sequences:
Activities that involve creating or identifying patterns (such as alternating colours or shapes) help children to understand sequences and predict what comes next. Recognising patterns is an important skill for understanding algebra and advanced math.
Stringing beads in specific sequences (e.g., red, blue, red, blue) not only improves fine motor skills but also helps children learn to identify and create patterns.
5. Developing Measurement Skills:
Cooking and baking are great for introducing children to measuring. Measuring ingredients for a recipe teaches children about quantities, fractions and the concept of more or less. It’s a practical way to introduce children to units of measurement and volume.
Playing with sand and water, using different-sized containers, helps children understand concepts of volume and capacity. They learn through experimentation and observation.
6. Enhancing Problem-Solving Abilities:
Setting up a pretend shop or restaurant allows children to use money, make transactions, and handle change. These activities require them to solve problems and think critically about numbers and operations.
Strategy games like Chess or Checkers involves strategic thinking and planning ahead, which are important skills for solving mathematical problems.
Our STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) activity cards is a great way to introduce maths skills early on through play. The activities use simple items from around the home or supermarket. Shop our STEM Activity Cards here.
To help nurture numeracy skills through play, it’s important to create an environment where children feel free to explore and experiment. Integrate play into your daily routines by using everyday activities as opportunities for playful learning. For example, counting steps while climbing stairs or sorting laundry by colour. Participate in play with your child, guiding them gently and asking questions that provoke thinking and reasoning. Encourage children to ask questions and explore different ways of solving problems. Celebrate their curiosity and creative solutions.
Play is not just a break from structured learning; it is an essential part of developing early numeracy skills. Through playful activities, children naturally discover mathematical concepts and develop a love for learning that will serve them throughout their educational journey. By integrating play into everyday life, parents and educators can provide children with a strong foundation in numeracy and a lifelong appreciation for mathematics.
The sun is finally shining! So we thought we’d write a guide with some exciting activities to inspire kids to get outside and connect with nature. From escapades in the garden to expeditions in the wilderness, there’s something for every young adventurer to enjoy. So grab your gear, put on your explorer hat and let’s embark on a journey of discovery!
Nature Scavenger Hunt
All kids love a scavenger hunt. Create a list of items for kids to find, such as pinecones, wildflowers, animal tracks or interesting rocks. Encourage them to use their observation skills and creativity to spot each item.
Scavenger Hunt Tips
Tailor your scavenger hunt to your local environment (e.g., urban parks, forests, beaches). Provide each child with a container or small bag to collect their treasures. Consider adding fun challenges or riddles to make the hunt even more exciting.
DIY Nature Journal
Encourage kids to document their outdoor adventures in a nature journal. Provide them with a blank notebook and art supplies to sketch, write, or collage their observations, thoughts, and discoveries.
DIY Nature Journal Tips
Encourage kids to write about what they see, hear, smell and feel in nature. Include prompts or drawing exercises to spark creativity (e.g., draw your favourite tree, describe the sounds of the park). Encourage regular journaling to track changes in the natural world over time.
Backyard Camping
Turn your backyard into a camping adventure. Set up a tent, roll out sleeping bags and enjoy a night under the stars. You can. Tell stories, stargaze and listen to the sounds of nature.
Backyard Camping Tips
Keep it simple with backyard-friendly activities like roasting marshmallows, playing flashlight tag or singing campfire songs. You can even invite friends or family members to join in the fun.
Nature Art Project
Get creative with nature-inspired art projects. Use natural materials like leaves, sticks, flowers and mud to make sculptures, photo frames or eco-friendly paintbrushes. Encourage kids to let their imaginations run wild as they experiment with different textures and colours.
Nature Art Project Tips
Provide guidance and inspiration, but allow kids the freedom to express themselves through their artwork. Display finished pieces in a nature gallery or outdoor exhibition to showcase their creations. Discuss the importance of environmental stewardship and how art can be a form of advocacy for nature conservation.
Wildlife Watching
Observe and learn about local wildlife in their natural habitats. Bring binoculars and a guide to identify birds, insects, mammals and other creatures. Keep a tally of sightings and take notes on behaviours, habitats, and adaptations.
Wildlife Watching Tips
Choose a quiet area with good visibility and minimal disturbances to maximize wildlife sightings. Practice patience and quiet observation to avoid scaring away animals. Respect wildlife from a safe distance and avoid feeding or approaching them.
With this outdoor activity guide, kids can embark on exciting adventures, which will help them foster a deeper connection with nature and unleash their creativity. Whether exploring the backyard or venturing into the wilderness, there’s endless fun to be had outdoors. So gather your young explorers and let the outdoor adventures begin!
Author
Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, women in STEM and the Montessori practice.
The Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) is a key stage 2 statutory assessment. This check is taken by children in June at the end of year 4. The The Multiplication Tables Check’s purpose is to ensure that each child’s times tables knowledge is at the expected level.
The Multiplication Times Tables Check is an online test where each pupil is asked 25 questions on times tables 2 to 12. Children are given 6 seconds to answer every question and in between each question, each child will get a 3-second rest. So the test should last less than five minutes.
How can I help my child prepare?
Preparing for the multiplication tables check in Year 4 involves a combination of practice, understanding, and memorisation. We recommending to start preparing early and try and build a daily short routine practising the times tables. With regular practice your child will learn all the questions and become confident with their times tables.
1. Use a multiplication poster
Children are visual learners, by putting up a multiplication poster, you will be surprised how quick their brains will absorb their times table. We have a multiplication square poster that can be bought as part of a bundle of posters here.
2. Understand multiplication concepts
Make sure you understand the concept of multiplication and its relationship to addition. Practice solving multiplication problems using different methods such as repeated addition and skip counting.
3. Practice regularly
Dedicate regular time each day to practice multiplication. Repetition is crucial for memorisation. Use flashcards, online games or worksheets to help your child master their multiplication tables.
4. Explore multiplication strategies
Learn different strategies for solving multiplication problems efficiently. For example breaking down larger problems into smaller, more manageable ones.
5. Track progress
Keep track of your child’s progress by regularly testing your child. Identify areas where they need improvement and focus your practice on those specific tables.
6. Stay positive and persistent
Learning multiplication tables can be challenging, but by maintaining a positive attitude and persevering progress will be made. Celebrate your child’s progress, this will encourage them to keep pushing forward.
Remember, consistent practice and understanding are key to success in mastering multiplication tables. Good luck to your little loved one! If you have any tips that has helped your child learn their multiplication tabels, let us know in the comments below.
Author
Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, women in STEM and the Montessori practice.
Welcome to the incredible journey of parenthood! From those precious first smiles to those wobbly first steps, every moment just feels so incredible. The first year of a baby’s life is filled with remarkable milestones, each one marking a new achievement and a step forward in their development. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the developmental milestones you can expect during your child’s first year. But don’t worry too much if your child isn’t meeting every milestone at a precise stage. Every child is unique—some babies will reach certain milestones sooner and others later. We will provide insights into a child’s physical, cognitive and social-emotional growth.
Cognitive milestones
Beneath that beautiful chubby exterior, your baby’s brain is working continuously to absorb and process information around them. In the first few months, they’ll begin to recognise familiar faces and respond to sounds and voices. As they start to approach 6 months, you might notice them reaching for objects or exploring them with their mouths. This is a sign of their growing curiosity and them beginning to understand the world around them. Around 8 to 10 months, they may start to imitate sounds and gestures, starting the process for language development. Keep engaging with your baby through talking, reading, and playing to support their cognitive growth. We have some great books and learning resources that can help to develop you child’s brain. View our books and learning resources here.
Physical milestones
During the first year, your baby will undergo amazing physical transformations. In the early weeks, they will master basic movements like lifting their head and turning it from side to side. By around 6 months, they may start sitting up unassisted and at this stage they may even begin to crawl. As their muscles strengthen, they’ll start pulling themselves up to stand and eventually taking those precious first steps, usually around 9 to 12 months. Please remember, every baby develops at their own pace, so don’t be concerned if your little one takes a bit longer to reach these milestones.
Social-emotional milestones
Your baby’s social and emotional development is just as important as their physical and cognitive growth. From birth, they’ll seek comfort and security from you, forming a strong attachment bond. As they approach 3 to 6 months, they’ll begin to smile in response to your smiles and maybe even engage in games like peek-a-boo. By 9 months, they might show some signs of stranger anxiety, becoming wary of unfamiliar faces. This is a normal part of their emotional development. Try and encourage their social interactions by arranging playdates and exposing them to different environments.
The first year of your child’s life is an absolute whirlwind of growth and discovery. It goes by so fast! Your baby’s first year will be filled with endless moments of joy and wonder. By understanding the developmental milestones they’ll reach during this time, you can better support and nurture their progress. Remember, every child is unique, so celebrate their individual journey and cherish each milestone they achieve. As you embark on this incredible adventure together, may you find endless delight in watching your little one grow and thrive!
Author
Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, women in STEM and the Montessori practice.
Sensory play is a favourite in our house! We try to do some sensory play with our daughter at least a few times per week. We love watching our daughter develop and thrive through this type of play. Sensory play is a crucial part of a child’s learning and development but we know it can feel a little overwhelming. Whether its knowing what to do or worrying about the clean up afterwards, hopefully this blog will help you get started!
The benefits of sensory play for children
Cognitive development: sensory play engages stimulates multiple senses and enhances cognitive abilities like problem-solving, decision-making, and creativity.
Fine motor skills: sensory activities involving textures, pouring, scooping, and manipulating objects helps to develop children’s hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
Language development: sensory experiences provide opportunities for children to express themselves verbally, expanding vocabulary and communication skills.
Emotional regulation: sensory play can have a calming effect on children (and let’s face it, us parents will try anything to help calm our children), helping children to regulate emotions, reduce stress, and build resilience.
Imagination and creativity: sensory materials inspire imaginative play, encouraging children to explore, experiment, and invent new ways of interacting with their environment.
Scientific inquiry: Sensory exploration lays the groundwork for scientific curiosity, as children observe, hypothesize, and experiment with cause and effect. Our STEM Activity Cards are a great pack to get children involved in science activities early on. They’re simple, fun and can be created with everyday items from the supermarket. Shop our STEM Activity Cards here.
Self-Discovery: Through sensory experiences, children learn about their preferences, sensitivities, and boundaries, fostering self-awareness and self-confidence.
Tips to win at sensory play
Keeping sensory play simple can be both effective and practical.
Use everyday materials by utilising common household items like rice, pasta, beans, water, sand, flour, and oats.
Limit the materials: Offer a few sensory materials at a time to avoid overwhelming children. This allows them to focus more deeply on the experience. –
Focus on one sense: while sensory play often engages multiple senses, sometimes focusing on just one sense can simplify the activity. For example, playing with different textured fabrics or exploring various scents.
Open-ended play: Provide materials without specific instructions. This helps to allow children to freely explore and create their own experiences. This encourages creativity and problem-solving.
Minimal setup: keep your sensory set up simple and easy to clean. Use trays or containers to contain messes and consider using materials that are easy to sweep or wipe up.
Outdoor exploration: nature around us provides a rich sensory experience for children. It offers wonderful textures, sounds, smells, and sights. Take children outdoors to explore natural elements like dirt, leaves, grass, and water.
Sensory bins: use sensory bins or trays to contain materials, making cleanup easier and more manageable. These can be as simple as a plastic tub filled with sand, water, or rice.
Rotate materials: introduce new materials periodically to keep sensory play fresh and exciting. Rotate through different textures, scents, and colours to maintain children’s interest.
Follow the child’s lead: In the words of Maria Montessori “Play is the work of the child”. Observe children’s interests and preferences and tailor their sensory play experiences accordingly. Let them guide the play and follow their cues.
Go with the flow when it comes to sensory play. We often spend so much time setting up a sensory activity that it can then be hard to sit back and watch our kids grab anything but the items we originally set up. What’s your favourite sensory activity you like to do with your child? Let us know in the comments below
Author
Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, women in STEM and the Montessori practice.
