The back-to-school season is a time of both excitement and anxiety for children and parents alike. For children, it’s an opportunity to make new friends, learn new things, and show off what they have learned in preschool. For parents, it can be a nerve-wracking experience trying to get everything ready before the first day of school. Whether you are a parent of a Primary One child who has just embarked on this new adventure, or have a preschooler awaiting entry to one next year, there’s no doubt that this is one of the most important milestones in your lives.
In this article, we’ll discuss some tips and tricks when it comes to preparing your child for primary school, and help make the transition from preschool as smooth as possible!Â
Difference Between Preschool and Primary School
One of the biggest changes that kids will experience when transitioning from preschool to primary school is the amount of schoolwork they will be given. In preschool, kids are mostly given worksheets with pictures and a few words for them to copy. However, in primary school, children will be expected to undertake more complex tasks such as writing full paragraphs, solving mathematical problems, and reading long passages.
As a result, it’s important for parents to start preparing early to ease them into the new workload. One way to do so is by gradually giving them more homework over the weekends or long holidays. Make this into a bonding or fun learning experience by getting age-appropriate assessment books for your child.
In preschools, most kids are seated at a table with their classmates and are expected to complete tasks together. However, in primary school, each child is given their own desk and chair where they can do their assignments on their own. This in itself may be a challenge for some children – so consider getting a suitable study set to get them acclimated. The Manis-h Kids Adjustable Table is a good choice for growing children. Simply pair it with an ergonomic chair and you’ll have a study area that grows with your child!
Preparing Your Child For Primary One Enrolment
In Singapore, the Primary School Registration Exercise typically starts around June or July. Apart from just deciding on the school of choice, you may also wish to request a visit to the school or join open houses to observe the learning environment, state of facilities and resources. Some areas to look out for include the playground, washrooms, canteen and exercise areas. Have a conversation with some of the teachers to understand more about how classes are conducted and whether the teachers are engaging enough. In addition, you may also check out any ad-hoc fees such as the cost of uniforms and books to ensure that they fit into your budget, especially if you are considering enrolling your child into a private school in Singapore.
Another tip would be to start introducing books that are suitable for your child’s comprehension level so they have a good grasp of what will be taught in school. The more words they know early on, the better they are able to communicate and express themselves confidently.
As your child grows, you’ll probably notice yourself buying more books, revision sets and stationery. Consider getting a shelving unit such as the Manis-h Wide 3 Shelves Unit to keep track of such items and keep the study area or bedroom organised. As a system storage, you can tailor the units to fit the needs of your child easily.
Ways to Get Ready for Primary School
1. Prepare well in advance
Unforeseen circumstances happen, books get lost, uniforms get torn – after all, kids will always be kids. Therefore, as parents, it’s important to stay prepared and ready for new developments. Start by implementing a system to keep track of your child’s school life and find out what apps to download or use. Have a folder handy to keep circulars from the school, and you can even join group chats that usually share handy information or advice from fellow parents.
2. Routine is the name of the game
Mornings are tough for everyone, but even tougher for you and your child who may not be used to waking up that early. Most primary schools start off around 7.30am, so it would be good to get into a routine that involves sleeping early and waking on time. Help your child understand what he or she needs to do to get ready for school each day, such as brushing their teeth and ensuring the water bottle is filled.
Such a routine can help your child learn responsibility and discipline. Your schedule can start the night before with easy tasks such as preparing the school uniform and ensuring the bag is packed. You can also give some homework to your child and ensure that they are complete before their bedtime. Also, arranging their packed lunches can be a fun way to connect and bond with your child, while learning about their likes and dislikes. A printable chart would be useful in keeping track of all that needs to be done, both for you and your child in primary school.
3. Have a conversation before school
If you haven’t started doing this already, now is probably the time to start. Help your preschooler understand more about the “big school” by having conversations to prepare them, and keep them involved in your decisions. If your child is already in primary school, you can still have such chats to find out about their daily school life.
Entering primary school is a big deal, and with all major life changes there can be unseen stress or anxiety. Speaking to your child about what to expect and how to solve some problems not only keeps your relationship strong, but also provide a healthy avenue for them to vent.Â
4. Create a conducive environment at home
Finally, one of the most important things parents can do to help their child transition to primary school is to create a conducive environment at home. This can mean preparing a space where kids can study and do their homework, as well as relax and have fun. Like adults, it’s important for children to take a break every once in a while, so make sure your child has access to such a space. Primary school can be hard!
Study in Comfort with Palette Box
With a wide range of customisable and modular children furniture at Palette Box, you can easily develop an efficient and comfortable space for your child to grow and learn. Rope in your child to plan his or her own space, too! As the leading baby and children furniture expert in Singapore, we have served countless happy parents and customers. To find out more about how we can help, schedule a showroom visit or contact us to speak to our friendly staff today.