Prep Enrolments
As
a parent, you play a vital role in your child’s education. There are many
things you can do to make your child’s first day and time at school more
enjoyable.
You can help your child prepare for their first
year of school by:
- improving their independence
- having a daily routine
- packing a healthy lunch
- knowing your school
- getting involved with your
school
- doing family activities at
home.
Improve your child’s independence
Before
your child starts school, you should encourage them to be independent by
helping them practice:
- packing and carrying their own
school bag
- putting on their shoes
- eating and drinking without
help
- going to the toilet on their
own
- using tissues to blow their
nose
- recognising their belongings.
Daily routines
Daily
routines can help children understand what they need to do, when to do it each
day and why it’s important
To
help prepare your child for school, get them into a routine which includes:
- going to bed early
- waking up at a certain
time—leave plenty of time to get ready
- having a healthy
breakfast—needed for energy and concentration
- preparing and eating lunch
- making time for physical
activities.
Before
your child starts school, make sure you talk to them about what to expect.
Remember to be flexible, as it may take them some time to understand their new
routine and adjust socially.
School lunch
When
packing your child’s lunch:
- provide healthy and filling
food and drinks (not sweets and chips) in realistic quantities for morning
tea and lunch
- make sure they can easily open
wrapped items and their lunch box
- provide a variety of smaller
items instead of 1 or 2 large items
- provide a water bottle every
day and encourage your child to use it.
Know the College
Help
your child get to know the school environment and routine by:
- driving past and walking around
the school—especially during school hours—so your child gets used to the
number of children, and their movements within the school grounds.
Check-in with the school’s administration before walking around the
school.
- asking the school what
equipment and materials your child needs—like a school bag, library bag or
hat—most schools will have a list. Make sure all possessions are labelled
with your child’s name.
Before
their first day, your child should know how to easily find their classroom and
where to:
- put their things—like school
bag and hat
- have their lunch breaks
- meet you each day when school
is finished
- go for before and after school
care—if needed.
Encourage
them to ask a teacher if they need help.
Get involved with the College
Help
your child get a good start to their education. Take an interest in their
schooling, be positive about it and let them know it’s important to attend.
Get
involved with their school by:
- meeting the teacher
- informing the teacher of any
changes affecting your child
- talking to other parents
- volunteering (e.g. in the
tuckshop)
- reading school newsletters and
bulletin boards
- attending school events like
parent association meetings, fetes, open days or sporting carnivals.
Family activities at home
You
can also help your child’s progress at school by doing family activities
including:
- reading aloud (develops
concentration and awareness of language patterns) and writing with
them—e.g. shopping lists and letters
- stimulating their imagination
and natural curiosity—e.g. visiting a zoo, park or airport
- playing sports, and card or
board games—helps develop mathematical, problem solving, language and
social skills
- shopping, walking or gardening
together
- singing their songs and nursery
rhymes together.
Prep curriculum at Capalaba State College is based on the Australian Curriculum, in both Montessori and Mainstream Classes. This can be reviewed in our Curriculum Section.