Starting primary school or ‘big school’ is a milestone for any child and their family. It means stepping out from the comfort of the home or pre-school environment where they spend most of their time in play, to a more learning focused and routine driven environment.
How do you know whether your child is ready for this step?
In this blog, we share what to expect from the kindergarten learning program in Australia, what your child should know before starting school and how to prepare them for this next step.
In kindergarten, students spend most of their time developing literacy and numeracy skills. The key learning areas covered in this first year of primary school are:
As these are the key areas children will develop in their early years at primary school, it’s in these areas that your child should start to build basic skills.
There are no specific skills your child should have before starting kindergarten, however, there are certain skills that will help start off their primary education well. These skills include the ability to:
If your child doesn’t demonstrate all these skills yet, that’s okay. Children develop at different rates and like any adult, can be stronger in some areas and weaker in others. Learning programs in primary school, especially kindergarten, will cater to the different needs, paces and styles of learning.
When your child starts school is a personal decision you need to discuss with your family. To help you decide, it may be beneficial to talk with your child’s pre-school teacher or doctor for their perspective on your child’s development.
Whether your child is ready to start school now or you choose to wait another year, it’s not too early to engage in activities that will help them prepare for the next step in their learning journey.
So how can you as a parent help create a positive start to school for your child?
For additional resources and guidance on preparing your child for primary school, you can access the NSW Department of Education’s ‘Getting ready for primary school’ guide.
Not sure whether your child is ready to start primary school? Enrol in Global Education Academy’s Pre-Kindergarten Tutoring to help your child become a happy and confident learner with personalised and research-based tutoring. In our Pre-Kindergarten program, your child will:
Book a trial lesson today to give your child the best start and prepare them for academic and social success.
Call us on 1300 001 432 to claim your free trial lesson. Offer valid until 30 October 2021.
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