Tips for making friends

1. Talk to your child about the meaning of friendship.
2. Explain to your child that they are one of many children in a class.
3. Explain that sometimes during playtime they may lose sight of their new friends. Tell them that it’s O.K. if this happens. See the teacher on playground duty if they feel upset, or just sit down and watch the other kids until they see someone they know.
4. Your child may not be in the same class as their kindy friends. Be positive about making new friends.

Tips for lunches

1. Pack small pieces of fruit.
2. Peel oranges.
3. Pack “little lunch” or “morning tea” separately from “big lunch”.
4. Label lunch boxes and drink bottles and check occasionally if the labels have worn off.
5. Remember children need healthy food for school-time staying power
6. If lunch is ordered from the canteen don’t forget to send some morning tea.
7. Don’t send pre-packaged foods which your child cannot open independently.

Tips for reading success

1. Regularly read to your child.
2. Make reading time a special time….sit closely, cuddle, and give lots of smiles.
3. Let your child see you reading for pleasure and information.
4. Take your child to the library.
5. Don’t pressure your child to read independently.

Tips for travelling to and from school

1. Drop and pick up your child from the same point each day.
2. Attach bus passes firmly to school bags.
3. Teach your child their address and phone number.
4. Be on time for the start and finish of school or your child may feel anxious.

Tips for hot days

1. Don’t overdress your child in summer.
2. Apply sunscreen before your child leaves home. Sunscreen is available in classrooms.
3. Freeze drinks and wrap in plastic.

Tips for school uniform and school bag

1. Buy velcro, buckles or slip on boots if possible rather than shoes with laces.
2. Choose pants, t-shirts, shorts and socks that are loose fitting and easy to put on.
3. Choose pants with elastic waistband rather than zips and buttons.
4. When buying a school bag, make sure your child can open and close the bag by him/herself before you buy it.
5. If the bag is a backpack, carefully fit the straps so that the bag is not placing undue strain on your child’s back – make sure it does not hang down too far from their shoulders.
6. Have all clothes and belongings clearly marked with your child’s name and teach your child how to recognise his/her name.
7. Show your child where their name is on their belongings.
8. If you buy iron-on labels for clothing, you may also like to use a felt pen as well to put your child’s name on the tags – to avoid problems if a label falls off or is ripped off.
9. Attach a distinctive keyring or other object to their school bag to make identification easy.
10. Make sure extra underpants and shorts are in their school bag in case of accidents.
    
    

Personal Care

1. Indentifies own bag and belongings
2. Looks after own belongings
3. Opens food and drink unassisted
4. Eats independently
5. Dresses and undresses independently
6. Can wash hands independently
7. Toilets independently
8. Knows when and how to use a tissue/handkerchief
9. Remain within safe boundaries
10. Puts things away after use

Communication

1. Can follow a simple one-step instruction
2. Listens to others in a small group
3. Listens to others in a large group
4. Initiates conversation with adults
5. Initiates conversation with peers
6. Indicates / expresses wants and needs
7. Can ask a simple question
8. Can answer a simple question
9. Speaks clearly
10. Uses language to communicate during play

Social Skills

1. Separates from parents appropriately
2. Responds to adult initiated interaction
3. Responds to peer initiated interaction
4. Initiates interaction with adults
5. Initiates interaction with peers
6. Shares with peers (as is age-appropriate)
7. Takes turns in games and with equipment
8. Demonstrates appropriate attention seeking strategies
9. Adapts to working with more than one adult
10. Can solve social problems appropriately