How to Get Your Child All Set for Primary School

Imagine your child's first day of primary school. You just know that their face will light up when they enter the classroom, full of wonder about what awaits them. But before that happens, you have some work to do. As a parent, it is important that you prepare your child for this big step in their life by teaching them the necessary skills and providing helpful advice. Read on for tips on how to get your child ready for primary school.

 

1. Make reading a habit

 

Research indicates that reading to children is one of the most important habits for them to develop because it helps improve their language skills with a better understanding of what they are reading. More importantly, reading can also help your child develop a longer attention span, which will be helpful when they have to concentrate in class or study for a period of time.

 

Start by finding books that interest your child either in English or in their mother tongue language. You can then develop a bedtime reading routine or encourage your child to grab their book and read it as and when they can.

 

2. Adjust their sleep schedule

 

The start of the school year can be an exciting time for kids, but it can also be a little daunting. Adjusting to a new routine and getting used to early mornings can take some time. One thing that you can do to help make the transition go more smoothly is to prepare your child's sleep habits ahead of time. Children aged 7 to 12 years old are recommended to have up to 12 hours of sleep. Before school starts, you can begin establishing a bedtime and stick to it as much as possible. Help your child get ready for school by getting them up earlier gradually, so they won’t feel groggy or rushed in the morning.

 

3. Get their school bag ready

 

Once you know your child’s timetable, you’ll roughly know what your child needs to bring to school on a daily basis. You can then shop around for a proper school bag in Singapore. Depending on what your child prefers, you can find the basic backpacks to trolley school bags. Bear in mind the best types of bags for kids should be designed to support your child’s posture as they carry their school essentials around throughout the day. For more information, take a look at our quick guide to choosing the right school bag for your child.

 

4. Organise with your child

 

With your child’s school supplies at hand, you can also create a checklist and go through everything with them. They'll appreciate having control over their own packing list and being able to pack themselves. This is one of the most effective ways of nurturing a sense of responsibility in your child as they learn to be more independent in primary school.  

 

5. Start setting up a study space

 

Remember that primary school is just one step in their education in Singapore, so don’t worry too much if they’re not doing well academically yet. More importantly, you can expect your child to be bringing back homework to complete on their own. By then, you want to make sure that they have a conducive environment to study.

 

In fact, what many parents don't know or only realise later is that the design of your kid's study space can have a big impact on their ability to focus and learn effectively. An ergonomic study area that is tailored to your child's needs can help them stay comfortable while they are doing their schoolwork. Here’s how you can find the right ergonomic table and chair for your child.

 

There’s no better time than now to get started on these tasks. To prepare your child for their next level of schooling, drop by our Ergoworks stores to get your child on the right track for school.