Getting Ready for School
Starting school is a significant milestone in your child’s life. Helping them to develop some key everyday skills before they begin can make a real difference to their confidence and independence.
Here are some helpful ways you can support your child as they prepare for school:
Tray and Cutlery Practice: Encourage your child to practise carrying a tray and using cutlery at mealtimes. These small routines can help ease lunchtime transitions.
Fine Motor Skills: Support your child’s hand development through pre-writing activities such as holding a pencil, tracing letters and numbers, colouring with crayons, and cutting with child-safe scissors. These activities strengthen hand and wrist muscles and lay the foundations for writing.
Toileting Independence: Please ensure your child can go to the toilet by themselves. Practising with zips and buttons at home can really help, as these are often new and challenging for young children. Feeling confident with toileting is a big step in supporting your child’s independence.
Footwear Matters: When buying school shoes, consider comfort and ease. Velcro or slip-on shoes are ideal in the early stages. If laces are used, simpler fastenings are best—complicated laces can be tricky for little hands.
Lace Practice: Please try to teach your child how to tie their shoelaces. Even if they’re not fully there yet, any practice will build skills and confidence over time.
Labelling Belongings: It’s important that all clothing and personal items are clearly labelled with your child’s first and second name. This helps avoid items such as jackets and shoes being mixed up or lost.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to help your child have a happy and confident start to school.
St Bernard's Primary School 14-16 Dove Street Glasgow G53 7BP Phone: 0141 881 7934 Fax: 01418812652 E-Mail: headteacher@st-bernards-pri.glasgow.sch.uk