To be ready for school your child needs to:
- be able to listen to and follow simple instructions
- understand new words and sentences
- talk to others about what is needed or sharing ideas with grown-ups and other children
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Mealtimes
It will support your child if they are able to eat independently once they start school, so things like being able to peel a banana or take the top off a yogurt are great skills to teach children.
Mealtimes are ideal for talking about foods, what they have done that day and sharing experiences. Encourage children to use describing words when talking about food, such as a juicy red apple, or a soft ripe kiwi fruit.
Going to or from nursery and school
When travelling by car or bus, play a game of 'rhyme strings'. Choose something you can see, for example 'tree' and together choose as many words as you can imagine (real words or made up words) to rhyme with it. Can you make a string of 3 or 4 rhyming words?
Encourage children to walk to nursery or school sometimes, as this can be a good form of exercise. As you walk, talk about the weather, seasons and things that you see on the way.
Out and about
Encourage children to get ready for going out independently by finding and putting on their own coat and shoes.
When going shopping or running errands, children can be supported to write a list of what is needed. This will develop their understanding that print carries meaning. You could also encourage them to notice road signs and other print in the environment or house numbers.
Play time
Play 'I spy' by describing the item, for example, 'I see something that is tall, it's made of metal, it has a bulb at the top' and then talk about the sound it starts with.
Share books and stories together. Move your finger along the words as you read and encourage children to talk about the pictures and make links to their own experiences.
Play time is about having fun together, doing what your child enjoys. The most important thing is to be available for them.
Bath time
Talk about the order things happen in, for example:
- washing hands - first get hands wet, next use the soap, and then wash off the soap, and finally dry your hands
- washing hair - first wet the hair, next rub in the shampoo, and then rinse out the shampoo, finally do it all again
- float or sink games - first find the bath toys, next catch all the ones that float, and then look for all the ones that sank, finally put the toys away
Bedtime
Snuggled up before bed is a good time of day for a 'catch up chat'. You like conversations that are in a comfortable place and not filled with questions. Give the same chance to your child. Comment on what they say rather than ask lots of questions, for example, 'that sounds fun', 'you had great fun painting that picture', 'wow, I loved that story, my favourite part was...'.
Praise
Praise your child's efforts, for example, 'I like the way you tried to finish your dinner', 'thank you for helping', 'nice drawing and using the pencil', 'I love how carefully you have been building that track'.
Further ideas
For more ideas talk to your health visitor, children's centre, nursery or school about Derbyshire ECaT: Every Child a Talker.