Step into prep: 5 tips from a paediatric occupational therapist to help you and your child feel ‘school ready’
As an occupational therapist (OT) with years of experience in helping children develop their skills, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial it is for kids to be prepared for school. Starting school is such a huge milestone in the life of a child, and research suggests that children who transition to school smoothly and experience early school success, tend to maintain higher levels of social competence and positive associations with the school and learning environment.
Many people associate school readiness with academic skills, however, preparing for school involves more than just learning the ABCs. It encompasses a wide range of skills that contribute to a child’s overall readiness for the classroom environment:
- Independence skills (toileting, dressing, feeding, routine)
- Social and emotional skills (playing, sharing, turn taking, expressing emotions)
- Fine and gross motor skills (hand eye coordination, writing skills, balance and coordination)
- Communication skills (language, following instructions, expressing needs and wants)
Taking a holistic approach when considering your child’s current strengths and needs, allows you to set the foundation for a successful learning experience.
Here are some independence skills that you as parents or caregivers can support your child to develop in the comfort of your own home:
Asking for help
Does your child know how or when to ask for help? Asking for help is an important skill for children to learn earlier on in life. Being independent in asking for help allows your child to be able to advocate for their needs and seek adult support when they need it, to optimally support their development and learning. Support your child to ask for help by modelling the language required in a situation where you can see that they need assistance e.g. ‘I need help please’. It is also beneficial to positively reinforce moments when you see them asking for help by offering praise and encouragement. As a parent you can normalise asking for help as lots of children don’t want to seem like they can’t do things. By showing that you as an adult can also need help, this normalises that vulnerability can be a positive thing.
Toileting
Can your child identify when they need to use the toilet during the day? Can they take themselves to the toilet, use the toilet independently, including dressing, wiping and hand washing? Toileting is a crucial skill for all children to achieve. Some strategies that can support toilet training skills include scheduled toilet breaks (such as every 1.5-2 hours), using visual schedules to help your child learn the sequence for toileting or more specifically wiping. Also encouraging a ‘try and do’ approach when it comes to wiping, whereby you ask your child to try first before you step in to take over. It is amazing what they can do when we take a step back.
Lunch time
Can your child open their own lunch box and food packets within their lunch box? Can they use their water bottle independently? While these might seem like small tasks to you and I, eating lunch is a huge part of the school day for children. Supporting your child to be able to open items within their lunch box independently and access their water ensures they can access sufficient brain fuel to power their learning. When choosing a lunch box for school, make sure you try it out with your child first. Offering your child their lunch in their lunch box when they are at home is a great time to work on this skill. You can support by opening the seal of some tricky items such as yogurt pouches to give them a head start. Also encouraging your child to get involved in packing and unpacking their lunch box in their bag will start to set them up for organisational skill building.
Dressing
Can your child put on and take off their jumper and know when to do it? What about putting on their coat and hat? Outdoor play is so important for a child’s development, and we don’t want them missing out or avoiding outdoor play due to not being able to dress appropriately for the climate outside. Support your child with learning essential components of dressing by teaching them to undress first, which is often an easier skill to learn than dressing.
Establish routines
Can your child follow a structured routine during their day? Introducing structure and routines will be of great benefit to assist your child with preparing for transitions and feeling secure. This is often one of the biggest challenges for children, adapting to the reduced free play time and increased expectation for structured learning tasks when starting school. Start by creating a predictable daily routine that includes structured activities and regular mealtimes and bedtime. Making sure your child gets to school on time is really important to help them settle into their day smoothly!
Remember, every child develops at their own pace, and fostering a positive and supportive environment can make a world of difference. If you feel your child might benefit from further assessment or support with their school readiness skills, please seek advice from your child’s teacher/educator, or consider consulting with an occupational therapist, who will be able to offer tailored advice and support to assist you and your child to feel school ready!
About the author
Lucy Hunt is a Clinical Specialist and Occupational Therapist at KEO Care. Originally from Ireland, Lucy began her journey as an OT in 2017 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from University College Cork. Since then, she has gained valuable experience and skills while working in various healthcare settings in both Ireland and the UK. With four years of dedicated service, Lucy has developed a passion for helping children and families facing complex disabilities in the community.
