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September is looming – and while some children will be busily preparing to start their prep or senior school, the youngest will be readying themselves for the very first stage of their educational journey: the all-important early years.
Multiple lockdowns, mask-wearing and social distancing over the past 18 months has meant that many nursery-aged children have experienced little interaction with others their own age throughout their short lives. ‘Coming out of lockdown, we can see that the confidence and self-esteem of young children has suffered,’ says Georgina Hood, the founder and director of Paint Pots nurseries, who has 35 years’ experience in early-years education under her belt. ‘They have spent too much time at home, and have not developed much independence – meaning many are craving to be shown how to do things for themselves. The social aspect of being with other children has been lost, which has affected the development of social skills, including taking turns and sharing, as well as levels of concentration.’
So, how can we parents make sure our little ones are as ready as possible to make the leap into nursery next month? Georgina tells us the five skills we should practise with our children over the coming weeks, so they’re ready to race through the doors on their first day...
Independence
The most important skill to practise is independence. Over the summer, parents could look for ways to support their son or daughter and help them work towards greater independence, learning, for example, how to put on their own jackets and shoes, plus how to wipe their noses. Most parents wish their children could be more independent and by allowing space for this, youngsters will gain confidence in themselves and the world around them. There are many opportunities to introduce independence in daily activities and boys and girls can be encouraged by parents saying ‘I know you can do this by yourself’ which should lead to the child being able to say ‘I can do it’.
Families should think about their home and make sure it is accessible and practical for their child. Check they can reach the coat hooks and that their clothes allow for independent dressing with Velcro-style shoe fastenings, trousers with elastic waistbands and tops that pull easily over their head. Lead by example, showing the child how to do things for themselves, giving clear step-by-step instructions, which can be repeated as often as necessary, and reinforced by saying things like ‘I’m going to show you how to put a sock on.’
Factoring in extra time for the child to do simple tasks can make a huge difference to stress levels and will also show them that their parents respect them for trying to be independent. Mothers and fathers can support the process by being available and having patience. When leaving the house to go out, parents could allow an extra 10 to 15 minutes to create a calmer time for the child to go to the bathroom, change their shoes and put their own coat on, while parents are on hand for assistance. For many people, this ‘busy’ world means there are times when this may seem just not practical, however the child may surprise their parents when they see how independent they can be.
Eating and drinking is another important area for a child to develop their independence. Encourage them to choose bowls, plates and cutlery for themselves from a low kitchen cupboard or shelf which is their part of the family kitchen. Show the child how to become an independent eater and pour their own water into a little glass from a small jug.
Separation
Another developmental aspect to work on is the concept of separation, particularly if there has not been another caregiver helping with the toddler during lockdown. This skill needs to be established and parents could start with having someone come to the house to play with the youngster. Once the child is comfortable with them, the parents could make a short trip to run errands, being sure to tell their son or daughter they are leaving – even if the child is sad about this. They will learn that parents do come back. Parents can build up longer periods apart until the child is used to being away from them for the same amount of time as they will be at school.
Concentration
Families can also set up activities with their children which encourage concentration. During the lockdown, boys and girls haven’t been able to attend classes and their home life has often been busy with adults and siblings working from home, meaning some youngsters have problems focusing even for short periods of time. One way to help their concentration is for parents to sit with their son or daughter and read to them. They can then encourage the child to listen without getting distracted and ask them questions to ensure they are listening well and concentrating.
Social skills
Something people need throughout their lives are social skills and these should be practised too. At the playground, parents can help children so they learn to use appropriate words, and can be guided to stand up for themselves, if needed, and think of others. This will provide children with the support they need, to be ready to learn how to get along with, and care for, others in their new school.
Imagining being at school
It is also important to prepare the child for nursery by imagining being at school. Walking past the nursery and saying ‘This is where you will be coming to nursery after the summer holidays,’ will help. Parents can also walk the route with their child seeing some of the shops they may pass on the way. Asking questions such as ‘When you go to nursery, I wonder if you will choose to walk or go on your scooter?’, ‘Do you remember the name of your teacher?’ and ‘Miss X will be waiting for you when you go to nursery.’
Good luck – and remember, if you’re a new parent or a parent-to-be, our nurseries guide is your indispensable guide to choosing the right early-years setting for your bundle of joy.
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