St Bernard’s Primary RC School

Starting school is a very big step in your child’s life. If they come to school already equipped with some of the skills required to cope with everyday life, it can be a big help;

 

• Encourage practise with carrying a tray and using cutlery.

 

• You can develop your child's motor skills through any pre-writing activities such as holding a pencil, tracing over letters and numbers or by colouring in with crayons. Cutting with child safety scissors using paper or card to strengthen hand and wrist muscles, is also very benefical.

 

• Please make sure that your child can go to the toilet unassisted. Children can sometimes need extra practise with buttons and zips which can be new and challenging. It is important that your child feels confident to go to the toilet independently.

 

• When buying school footwear, think about suitability and comfort. Velcro and slip on shoes can be a big bonus at the early stages of school or alternatively, shoes with simple laces. Boots or shoes with complicated laces can be very difficult in the early stages for young children to cope with.

 

• Please try to teach your child to tie their shoe laces. Even if they are not able to cope fully when they come to school, all practise in this area is extremely valuable for your child.

 

•  It is important that all your child’s clothing and personal belongings are clearly labelled with their first and second name. This can ensure clothing, such as jackets and shoes, do not become inconveniently mixed up.

 

Thank you for your continued support.