Starting School
Your child’s readiness for school will depend on maturity rather than age. Many 4 year olds are well able to cope while some five year olds have difficulty in adapting. However, we do recommend that children whose 4th birthday falls in June, July or August should consider waiting until they reach their 5th birthday. We try to make things easier for both parents and children by having the beginners come in to meet the teacher and see their classroom before the school closes for the summer holidays in June. A child will be very excited about going to school and it is important that he/she gets off to a good start. To help Junior Infants settle into school at the beginning of the year, they will go home at 12noon for the first two weeks.
Useful Tips To Help With The First Days
Try to communicate a positive attitude to school by encouraging the child to look forward to the experience while remembering that school is much different from that which you might have experienced yourselves. Children are now encouraged to express their feelings in a classroom with a relaxed, informal atmosphere. As communication is a vital part of the school day, it is essential that this is encouraged through conversation rhymes, stories etc. On the first day let him/her take something familiar from home to bridge the gap between home and school. Have a short chat with the class teacher and emphasise to your child that you will collect him/her in a short while and then leave quickly and without fuss. Once you have left the classroom, do not turn back or stand outside the door. Don’t look in through the window as your child may see you and sense that you are worried. Some children are overawed by the situation and begin to cry. The teacher will tell you that children usually stop crying after their parents leave and she will quickly get them interested in some game or activity. Get to know the teacher as well as other parents and their children.
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