Empowering Your Child to Succeed at Primary School

Do you know that early learning can influence the shape of a person’s brain as an adult? As a parent, you play a role in steering your preschool child through various milestones, including primary school. 

In this article, we will explore how you can enhance your child’s primary school readiness and empower them for future success.

Cognitive development

Attention span

Helping your child develop a sustained attention span is vital for academic success. Encourage activities that require focus, such as puzzles, storytelling, and age-appropriate games. Limit screen time to ensure that your child learns to concentrate on real-world tasks.

Problem-solving

Foster problem-solving skills by presenting your child with age-appropriate challenges. Puzzles, building blocks, and simple maths games can stimulate their critical thinking. Encourage them to find solutions independently by praising their efforts and guiding them through the process rather than providing immediate answers.

Reading

Introduce reading activities to build a strong foundation for literacy. Reading books together, pointing out words, and discussing stories can instil a love for reading. Encourage your child to recognise letters and associate them with sounds through interactive and enjoyable activities.

How My First Skool supports cognitive development

We foster children’s participation in classroom discussions and encourage critical thinking through problem-solving sessions with teachers and peers. 

Through these activities, our children become confident and focused individuals who are ready for various challenges in life, including primary school education.

When it comes to literacy, a study has found that the time spent in preschool matters. It was found that children who completed their second year of preschool had higher scores for decoding and letter knowledge compared to students of a similar age who had only undergone one year of preschool. 

Social and emotional readiness

Independence

Promoting independence is critical to your child’s social and emotional development. Encourage them to dress themselves, manage personal belongings, and complete simple tasks. 

This independence fosters confidence and a sense of responsibility that will serve them well in a primary school classroom setting.

Emotional regulation

Teach your child to understand and express emotions appropriately. Create an open environment where your child feels safe sharing their feelings. Provide your child with tools to cope with frustration, disappointment, or excitement. 

Emotional regulation is important for effective learning and social interactions.

Social interaction

Facilitate opportunities for social interaction with peers. Arrange playdates, enrol your child in group activities, or participate in community events. 

These experiences help develop social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperating – essential for a smooth transition to primary school.

Communication skills

Effective communication is fundamental to academic success. Encourage your child to express themselves verbally and listen actively. Engage in conversations, ask open-ended questions, and model proper communication skills. 

This will enhance their language abilities and promote confidence in expressing thoughts and ideas in a primary school classroom.

How My First Skool supports social and emotional readiness

Within our learning environment, children collaborate in small groups during classroom activities, forming relationships, learning socially acceptable behaviour, and resolving conflicts independently.

When a child struggles with self-regulation, for instance, in not waiting for their turn for some activity, preschool educators play a role in identifying this behaviour and giving additional support. At My First Skool, we do this by bringing the child aside and showing them why taking turns is important and how they can practise this.  

Fine and gross motor skills

Fine motor skills

Developing fine motor skills is essential for tasks like writing and using utensils. Provide colouring, cutting, and crafting activities to enhance hand-eye coordination. Play games that involve picking up small objects with fingers to promote dexterity.

Gross motor skills

Physical activity is essential for the development of gross motor skills. Encourage outdoor play, running, jumping, and climbing activities. 

Strong gross motor skills contribute to overall physical health and support a child’s ability to participate actively in classroom activities.

How My First Skool supports fine and gross motor skills

My First Skool organises daily outdoor physical activities where children can refine their gross motor skills through interaction with their peers. Additionally, we facilitate activities targeting fine motor skills, emphasising hand-eye coordination and finger control. 

We prioritise goal-oriented activities like games at My First Skool because this has been found to significantly improve children’s motor skills.   

Teacher feedback

Stay engaged with your child’s educators to gain insights into their progress and areas needing attention. We recommend you be present for parent-teacher conferences, participate in school events, and establish open lines of communication. 

Collaborating with teachers ensures a holistic approach to your child’s development, where you can address the academic and social needs of your child and ensure they are ready for primary school.

One step you could take is keeping a journal of your child’s developmental milestones, categorising them based on the areas mentioned in this article, such as cognitive development, social and emotional readiness, and fine and gross motor skills. You can then share what you have observed with your child’s teacher and see what areas need more attention. 

My First Skool prepares your child for primary school

Empowering your child to succeed in primary school requires a holistic approach that addresses cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. By fostering the abilities and skills mentioned, you provide your child with the tools they need to thrive academically and socially. 

Enrolling your child in a reputable preschool program at My First Skool can further enhance their readiness for an exciting primary education journey. My First Skool has a structured curriculum designed to prepare children for primary school challenges, presenting ample opportunities for your child to explore, adapt and thrive. 

Learn more about the My First Skool curriculum today.