How to prepare my child for school?

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The first day of school is a big and emotional milestone for both parent and child. It is both exciting and daunting and all parents want to make sure their child has their best chance to learn and thrive at school. While there is an Australian curriculum the method of teaching, level of expectations and support can vary widely between different schools. But if all schools can be so different, how can you prepare your child for it?

How does a child learn?

I think a good way of understanding this is to put yourself in the shoes of your child – the learner. How do you best learn? Are you a visual learner? Or do you prefer someone to talk you through things like an auditory learner? Do you get discouraged easily if the task is too hard? Do you enjoy learning something new or do you need to be really interested in it?

As an adult we can sometimes forget that there was a point in time where everything was a learning experience. Children are constantly learning new things about the world, their body, about people and friendships. This can be overwhelming and exhausting and oftentimes require patience and compassion. We all learn differently and trying to understand how your child best learns is the first step in supporting them to be their best self.

How to help your child prepare to learn

Improving a child’s learning can be both rewarding and challenging. Here are some effective strategies:

Create a Positive Learning Environment:

- Encouragement: Celebrate achievements and effort, no matter how small.
- Safety: Ensure the learning space is physically and emotionally safe.
- Comfort: Provide a comfortable, well-lit, and quiet area for study.

Understand Their Learning Style:

- Visual Learners: Use diagrams, charts, and videos.
- Auditory Learners: Incorporate discussions, songs, and audiobooks.
- Kinesthetic Learners: Include hands-on activities and movement.

Set Realistic Goals:

- Short-Term Goals: Break tasks into manageable steps.
- Long-Term Goals: Set broader objectives and track progress.

Encourage Curiosity and Exploration:

- Ask Questions: Foster a sense of wonder and inquiry.
- Explore Interests: Connect learning to their passions and hobbies.

Use a Variety of Teaching Methods:

- Interactive Learning: Incorporate games and technology.
- Experiential Learning: Engage in field trips and practical activities.

Promote Good Study Habits:

- Routine: Establish a consistent study schedule.
- Organisation: Teach them to use planners or apps to manage their tasks.

Provide Support and Resources:

- Tutoring: Offer extra help if needed.
- Books and Tools: Ensure they have access to educational materials.

Foster a Growth Mindset:

- Resilience: Encourage them to view challenges as opportunities to grow.
- Effort Over Talent: Emphasise the value of hard work and perseverance.

Communicate Regularly:

- With Teachers: Stay in touch with educators to understand their progress.
- With Your Child: Discuss what they’re learning and any challenges they face.

Model Lifelong Learning:

- Be a Role Model: Show enthusiasm for learning new things yourself.
- Share Experiences: Talk about your own learning experiences and how you overcome difficulties.

Remember, every child is unique, so it’s important to tailor these strategies to fit their individual needs and preferences.

How do developmental delays or disabilities impact children’s learning?

Movement is a child’s first method of learning. Children with disabilities can be limited in their learning experiences because of the physical limitations that impact them. Being unable to move and explore their environments.

Who do I see if I have concerns?

At Strong and Courageous Kids, we support families to better understand a child’s strengths and provide effective evidence-based interventions to support a child’s development. Our therapists are specially qualified to help identify reasons as to why a child is struggling to crawl and address it through modalities such as TASES, Spider cage, Dynamic Movement Intervention, reflex integration, and much more.