Starting Big School: Our Top OT Tips for Success

 Starting school is an exciting milestone for children and parents alike. However, the transition can feel overwhelming without preparation. As an occupational therapist, I’d like to share my top practical strategies to help your child build the skills and confidence they need to thrive in their new environment.

1. Social Skills: Turn-taking, Sharing, and Managing Emotions

Social skills are essential for successful interactions at school. Here are ways to help:

• Practice Turn-Taking and Sharing: Play simple board games or card games to teach turn-taking and sharing. Encourage your child to handle both winning and losing with grace by modeling positive behaviour yourself.

• Emotional Expression: As parents we are often able to anticipate a child’s needs. At school, they need to express how they are feeling and what they need to return to a regulated state. At home, provide them with the space to put their feelings into words, or use emoji’s to express how they are feeling. This will be a strategy they can use at school. You can then offer a strategy to help. For example, I can see you are sad, would you like to get your teddy for a cuddle? Keep in mind we are building strategies that can use in the school environment, so don’t always opt for a cuddle with you. Look for alternatives.

• Encourage Independence in Conflict Resolution: Instead of solving every problem for them, coach your child to articulate their needs or concerns. For example, “Can I have a turn with that toy?”

2. Building Independence

Independence boosts your child’s confidence and prepares them for the school routine.

• Practice Dressing: Teach your child how to put on their uniform, orientate clothes the correct way, put on shoes, and encourage them to carry their own backpack. I highly recommend Velcro shoes for Kindy kids. They have enough new skills to master. We can focus on shoelaces down the track. 

• Lunchbox Skills: Start using the school lunchbox now. Practice opening containers, unwrapping snacks, and drinking from a water bottle. This not only saves time but also avoids frustration at school. I also recommend involving your child in what they want to pack in their lunch box. There is a much higher chance of them eating it. Consider quick options if they tend to be a slow eater. We don’t want them missing out on playtime.

3. Establishing a Routine

Children thrive on routine, especially during big transitions. I would recommend establishing your routine as early as possible before school starts.

• Consistent wake time: Allowing enough time to dress and eat breakfast before school without any pressure. Ideally, allow enough time for a little play or in case there are some nerves or emotions.

• Consistent Bedtime: Adequate sleep is crucial for growth and development. Even if a child has been attending preschool or long daycare, they will be tired. They are going to be learning many new skills and adjusting to new environments. It is also a big time for growth and development so sleep is crucial.

• Morning and Evening Routines: Practice the morning routine, including getting dressed, eating breakfast, and packing their bag. Similarly, establish a calm evening routine to help them wind down.

4.  Fine and Gross Motor Skills

A mix of activities helps develop different areas of the brain and body. Over the years you would have been completing many activities that would have been preparing your child for school

• Fine motor: Handwriting isn’t everything. Using their hands, manipulating objects, and touching different textures. These all help to build our fine motor skills to prepare us for handwriting. Find the activities they enjoy and treasure this time. Whether it be colouring, puzzles or playing in the mud. It is all great preparation.

• Gross Motor Activities: Provide time for running, climbing, or jumping to build strength, balance, and energy regulation.

• Improving Attention: We recommend practising transitioning between fine motor and gross motor activities or quiet and loud activities. This assists in preparing for transitions at school such as between desk-based to floor activities or from recess to quiet classroom activities. This is a tricky skill for some children. A great example would be practising coming in from running around outside and sitting down for dinner.

5. Fostering Emotional Resilience

Help your child navigate the school environment with these tools:

• Let Them Communicate Needs: Avoid anticipating every need. Instead, give your child opportunities to request help or express discomfort. This builds their self-advocacy skills.

• Role-Play Situations: Practice scenarios they might encounter, such as asking a teacher for assistance or making new friends.

Final Thoughts

Starting school is a big step, but you have nurtured and loved your child and they are ready to take the next step. Enjoy your time together and make sure you laugh and play above all else. Create an environment where they will share their experiences, and they will continue to grow and thrive into amazing little human beings.

If you do have any concerns, reach out to your teacher or contact your local OT.  Total Health Orange also runs school readiness groups. Please visit www.totalhealthorange.com.au if you need further information.

Enjoy the ride.