Getting your child ready for Grade 1 can be stressful at the best of times.
Add a Covid-19 Pandemic and three months out of school to that and it multiplies the stress a parent may experience in getting their little Grade R ready for Grade 1. Here are some guidelines to assist you in helping your child and giving them the tools they require. The below-mentioned guidelines might seem simple, but if your child has mastered them all, he/she is equipped with the correct foundation and confidence to extend their learning in Grade 1.
Your child must be able to:
• Tell left from right.
• Read and write their name.
• Dress and undress themselves – fasten zips, buttons and buckles. This is important because they will have to change for PE and extra murals at school and this can be very distressing to a little one who struggles to do so.
• Tie own shoelaces or be able to make a bow. This skill, as simple as it sounds, has a left and right brain crossover that is very important to Mathematics and problem solving.
• Know their birthday, address and a phone number for mom or dad.
• Manipulate scissors and cut out around an outline or shape. Start with cutting on a straight line, then simple shapes such as a circle and then move on to complex shapes such as a star and a crescent.
• Hold their pencil correctly. There is not only one way to hold a pencil but the strength and control the child has is very important for correct letter formation and neatness. Buying a beginner triangular pencil and a rubber pencil grip can greatly assist in this regard.
• Colour neatly within lines.
• Name all the basic colours and shapes.
• Count up to 50 and recognise numbers and number names 1 – 10.
• Draw a person, including details such as face, lips, eyes, ears, etc.
• Follow at least three simple instructions in order without getting lost or distracted. This skill can be practiced by giving your child multiple instructions when they arrive home. For example: Please unpack your bag, put your lunchbox in the sink and come give me a hug. It will take a while, so do not lose hope the first few times that they get it wrong.
• Identify all their belongings – school bag, clothing, shoes, socks and lunch box. Make sure these are all clearly marked. This is important for your child’s stress levels but also for mom and dad’s financial livelihood. Little ones losing all the uniform items at school can become very costly.
Hamptons Primary school offers free school readiness tests with a very experienced school readiness specialist. Parents can book an appointment by calling 031 563 2816. The school readiness test is Covid-19 compliant and will be administered in a sanitized environment with social distancing measures in place. Our Grade 1 teachers are hand-picked and they are ladies who are passionate, patient and experienced. We believe that Grade 1 sets the tone for the rest of your child’s school experiences. Our Grade 1 programme is structured, yet creative and fun with enough physical activity in it to keep the day balanced.
Contact Hamptons Primary if you are looking for a school where your child will have the best and happiest Grade 1 experience, giving the perfect foundation for their future school journey. It is the school every parent wishes they can give their child.