Starting school is the beginning of an amazing journey, but it is also a big transition. We find out how to make it as smooth as possible
Stepping Stones
The first day at school is an emotional milestone for both parents and children. Your child is embarking on a great adventure and your support and guidance will be vital. To help you navigate this new stage, Brambletye shares seven simple tips to set your child up for a happy and positive school experience.
brambletye.co.uk
Ease potential separation anxiety
Establish a goodbye routine, carry a comfort object and arrange playdates to build familiarity with classmates.
Get ready for routine
Familiarise your child with the school day routine. Practice getting up and dressed, having breakfast, preparing PE and book bags, and the school route to arrive in time for school without a rush!
Communicate
Help your child express themselves confidently. Encourage dialogue and active listening at home to help them build friendships and engage with teachers.
Develop a love of reading
Share quality reading time. Stories and nursery rhymes help develop auditory skills and understanding of language patterns while also creating treasured moments of togetherness.
Accentuate the positive
Ask about the day’s highlights and what your child looks forward to every day. Listen and respond calmly and supportively to any concerns. Share any that are ongoing with the school so you can work together to navigate and resolve them.
Nurture independence
Teach practical life skills like getting dressed and tidying up. Use descriptive praise to boost confidence and a sense of purpose.
Spark curiosity
Be curious about your child’s observations and explore the world together!
Tailored Support
Dulwich Prep Cranbrook tells us how they help children settle in at school
At Dulwich, the belief that everyone is an individual is key, and staff strive to understand the unique requirements for each child to learn and thrive. It’s no surprise then, that their methods of helping children settle in are based on paying attention to each child’s needs.
A buddy system pairs each new child with another like-minded child in their form.
Free time can be daunting for new children, so familiar teachers look after the children in the playground at break time and sit with them at lunch.
If a child is particularly struggling with the transition, they can keep a cuddly toy from home in their desk drawer.
Academic progress is closely monitored as we believe that happy children generally find learning easier.
A two-way dialogue with parents is vital and an open door policy essential.
dulwichprepcranbrook.org
You may also like
Thinking of 2026
There’s much to be gleaned from the Harry Potter book series when it comes to language and emotional intelligence, explains former headteacher Mike Piercy How many of us watched a Harry Potter film over the Christmas period? Our children grew...
Myth Busters
We hear from ACS International School Cobham as the school celebrates its 50th anniversary, reflecting on how far it has come and setting the record straight on a few common misconceptions along the way From its origins as a school...
Added Value
Some vital aspects of education are not easy to measure, says former headteacher Mike Piercy Are we stumbling, blundering – even thundering – into a Wildean world? Oscar Wilde defined a cynic as someone ‘who knows the price of everything...
