Getting ready to start primary school
Getting ready to start primary school
Transitioning to primary school is a big change for children and their families.
Our expert advice will help you get ready together.
Coping with change to primary school as a family
- Don’t avoid it – draw pictures and tell stories about what might happen to make it fun and more familiar.
- Talk about feelings – describe what happens when you have different feelings, including worry. Do you have butterflies in your tummy? Are you tense? Explain that nerves can help us focus and get ready.
- Look back – chat about how you’ve coped with changes in the past, like moving house or having a baby. You can do it again!
- Practice how to stay calm - this could include taking slow, deep breaths together.
Preparing your child
- Let them make mistakes – praise them for trying and help them learn by not always fixing things immediately.
- Encourage them to be curious – ask questions about the world around you, and they will do the same.
- Help them get on with others – introduce them to people, play games and take turns. ‘Act out’ situations with toys, e.g., “How can Teddy ask to play with the dolls?”.
- Practice sitting still and paying attention – look at books, crafts or puzzles without distractions.
- Encourage lots of words – instead of: “Did you like it?”, ask: “What did you like about it?”, so they have to use different words.
- Get moving – running, jumping, climbing, catching, painting and sorting small objects will improve their control over their bodies.
Preparing yourself
Your child starting primary school is a big change for you, too, so remember to look after yourself.
Being apart from your child might be new. Plan what you'll do during those first few days and chat with other families who are going through the same thing.
Make time for yourself. Self-care can be as simple as having a cup of tea, going for a walk or getting enough sleep.
Remember, you are your child's first and most important teacher, and they will continue to rely on you throughout their time at school. When you look after yourself, you're more able to support them.
If you're finding this time difficult, find out where you can get help.
Useful resources
Our Parenting Smart site has a video and tips you can try to help your child when they start or change primary school.
Starting primary school from BBC Bitesize has lots of useful information, advice and resources to help your child get ready for primary school.
Parenting news and blogs
Read how Place2Be counsellor Judah combats boredom with his children and encourages their imagination.
Read more
Place2Be's Programme Leader for Family Work, Judah, explores how he navigates technology and social media with his children.
Read more
Celebrate the power of relationships to transform the lives of children and young people in foster care.
Read more