How to support your child’s readiness for school
Getting your child ready for school can feel overwhelming, but every small step counts. From building emotional confidence to fostering curiosity and a love of learning, there are simple ways to support your child’s readiness for this new chapter.
Encouraging independence, creating routines, and supporting early social and language skills can all help children feel more comfortable as they begin their school journey. Every family’s experience is unique, and finding what works for you and your child is what matters most.
Simple ways to support your child’s readiness for this new chapter:
Encourage emotional confidence:
Helping your child manage their emotions is key to starting school confidently
Talk openly about feelings and help your child name them, encourage independence in small tasks like packing their bag or tidying up, and praise effort and persistence rather than just results
Build social skills:
Strong social skills make the school transition smoother.
Arrange playdates or group activities to practice interacting with peers, teach sharing, taking turns, and simple conflict resolution
Role-playing common school situations, like asking for help or joining a game, can also prepare your child to navigate the classroom environment with ease
Strengthen language skills:
Language and communication skills are essential for learning
Read together daily and talk about the story to boost comprehension, ask open-ended questions like “What do you think will happen next?”, and encourage storytelling or expressive play
These activities help your child build confidence in speaking, expressing ideas, and engaging with others
Foster curiosity & learning:
Encouraging curiosity helps children develop problem-solving skills and a love of learning
Practice counting, sorting, and identifying patterns in everyday activities, explore the world together through nature, books, or simple experiments, and introduce letters, shapes, and colours through playful, low-pressure activities
At The Heart and Mind Collective, we share practical tips, guidance, and tools that empower families to nurture their child’s growth and confidence at their own pace.
Need support? Book an appointment with us today: www.theheartandmindcollective.com.au/contact