Preparing Your Child For Big School


By Hayley Dean, ellaslist






Bliss Early Learning:  We focus on independence, self-help skills, following and understanding instructions, (the more instructions the better) getting dressed and undressed, being able to toilet, initiating and joining play, holding a pen/pencil.

Children learning from their world, their social/emotional wellbeing Language, literacy, numeracy skills, self-regulation and coping skills, collaboration and working within a group, understanding the importance of manners, being respectful and empathetic towards others. It is always important to ensure we cater to the individual child’s needs, this includes incorporating family objectives and expectations. Along with the fundamental skills required to support your child’s everyday life. 





Bliss Early Learning: Independence is seen as self-regulation of their emotions and feelings, following 2 or more steps, the ability to engage in an experience without assistance, taking care of their own belongings, carrying their own bag, remembering their own hat, water bottle, and taking responsibility for these things.


Bliss Early Learning: Parents can help their children by setting them up for success… involve children in everyday life experiences by taking them shopping with them to buy water bottles and lunch boxes that the child can open buy themselves. Given you child responsibility, write a “school shopping list”, allow your child to lead the process, ask them questions “what you think you need for “Big School”. Attend orientation visits arranged by the school with your child. Talk about "Big School", give realistic expectations and tell them what is going to happen in a positive and exciting way. 



  • practice writing in sand using fingers, sticks, brushes;
  • set up a small library at home



Bliss Early Learning: It is beneficial for children to have an awareness of letters and numbers through discussions and pointing out symbols within their environment. This will enable them to have time to explore the meaning, while building an understanding of the importance, and the role, of the alphabet in our day to day lives. Although name recognition is important, and yes, children being able to write their names and knowing their A,B,C's is going to give them a head start. It is more important for children to be able to concentrate and be able to sit still for at least short periods of time and focus on what is being said and follow instructions. 



Bliss Early Learning: A child is ready to start when they are confident in their own capabilities and identity, they are able to initiate play, able to take care of their belongings and engage in a group setting- (sharing, takes turns, waits patiently, negotiates, follows limits, expectations, and routine), showing respect and empathy to others around them.


Bliss Early Learning: Talk to your child about what is going to happen and remind them of their orientation visits. Encourage the child to wear their uniform before starting school and make it an exciting process about them wearing. Practice packing a school bag, eating from their lunch box. Have a routine for drop off that starts from the first day, give them a countdown to when you are about to leave and stick to it, even if they cry. After you say your goodbyes leave and don’t hang around, remember… your child’s teacher is a professional and has dealt with day one many times

Parents… you need to be brave and don’t look back! Some advice to parent… arrange to do something that is self-care, rather than just rush straight to work because many parents cry in the car on their first drop off (and this is okay!).





Guardian Early Learning Centre – Marrickville

57 Carrington Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204

Therese Quinon, Assistant Manager and Educational Leader


Kids Club Northern Beaches Centre

1A Middleton Road, Cromer NSW 2099

Kamila Jendykiewicz, Director


Bliss Early Learning

Various Sydney locations 

Kelly Cross, Director


Green Elephant Early Learning Centre

55 Mentmore Ave, Rosebery NSW 2018

Sivan Stern, Director


All Images Credits: Kids Club Northern Beaches, Bliss Early Learning