When we know that something important or fun is on our agenda, it’s important that we plan and prepare as fully as possible. For our little ones, beginning their school journey is exciting and often, overwhelming. It can be daunting for the child, as well as mum & dad!
The Child’s Focus When Starting School
The child’s focus, is, naturally enough, aimed squarely at the plethora of human interactions they face. So many teachers, so many new children, so many new and very unfamiliar spaces, so many new rules, so, ‘where’s my mum anyway? I want to go home and play!’
All of this can be totally overwhelming for young learners. Structured learning of content is often not the highest priority during the initial school semesters. As a result, important foundational understandings, especially pre-reading competencies in phonics, are often missed completely. This, unfortunately, can set the child up for a future as a struggling reader. The implications of this can, in many cases, significantly undermine self-confidence, often leading to under-performing school results and a school experience of struggle and anxiety as an under-achiever.
Easing the Transition to ‘Big School’
The transition into ‘big school’ is a big enough stress on a young soul, without concerning themselves with any notion of what this ‘learning’ business is all about. This is where a structured, systematic, Literacy and Numeracy rich early and pre-school learning program can be invaluable. It allows the child to enter ‘big school’ equipped with vital foundational understandings of these important skills. Not only does the child possess important skills, they perceive themselves as a competent learner. A learner capable of taking risks. A learner capable of making this important life transition with ease and grace. The school experience becomes a richer, more pleasant and vastly more enjoyable experience.