Starting School
Fáilte romhat agus roimh do pháiste.
Beginning school for the first time can be a little daunting for some children not to mention their parents!
Here are some tips for parents for the big day and beyond which you might find helpful.
. On the first morning, bring your child to the classroom and I will give your child a sticker with their name. There will be lots of activities for your child to do in the classroom, computers, blocks, sandtray, jig-saws etc. Your child can sit wherever they choose or they can go to one of the activity areas and play.
. If your child has a coat you can help them to hang up their coat in the cloakroom outside my classroom. Boys' cloakroom is on the left and the girls on the right. ( Toilets are located here also ). Each child will have their own coat-hook and their name will be beside it so it should be easy for you to find thanks.
. If you would like, you can bring a camera to photograph your child on this special day.
. Remember to try not to delay too long. Having assured your child that you will be back to collect him/her give your child a hug and leave. If your child is upset, don't worry, generally this stops quickly and we are used to distracting children and helping children to settle in. Before long, children start playing with toys, talking to other children and are absorbed in their new surroundings.
· Always try to be on time, both in the morning and to collect your child after school. Some children can get upset if you are even a little bit late and might think you are never going to come! In the morning I start promptly at 9 20 and your child misses out if they arrive late. Please let me know if your child is going home with someone different in the afternoon ,or telephone the school if there is a change of plan during the day, as can sometimes happen. Please send in a note of explanation for any day your child is absent as we need them for our files.
. Give your child a healthy lunch, and make sure they have enough but don't go overboard! You will be the best judge of the right amount for them after a few weeks when they are staying until 2 o clock. Practice, with your child, opening and closing their lunchbox and drink so that they can do it without help. I can always help them but it is better for them if they are able to do it themselves. As a rule, children are not allowed share lunches- this way you will know exactly what your child has eaten each day and children don't feel pressurised to give things away. The only exception to this is if a child has forgotton their lunch I might ask for volunteers to donate something small. If you would like some ideas on healthy lunches click HERE.
. Always include a bottle of water.You can use a re-usable bottle or beaker for drinks so that your child can open it him/herself and it will lessen the amount of cartons/bottles in your shopping trolley.
. Label everything – books, copies, pencils, twistables, bag, lunch- box, coat, hat, scarf, gloves, jumper – whatever your child brings to school. Please label books on the outside front cover as it helps me when giving out books. On the first day I check all jumpers for names and write their names on them if you have not already done so. It avoids confusion if each child has their name on their jumper.
. All your child's books will be collected by me on the first day of school, checked for labelling, and will be put on a bookshelf. This has a dual purpose- it minimises the risk of books getting lost and your child won't have to carry a heavy bag. Please warn your child of this as they might get upset if they think they will never see their lovely new books again! If, by any chance, your child is missing a book I will put a note for you in their lunch-box. For booklist scroll down after clicking HERE
. Buy your child a good-sized school bag , that is easy for them to open and one that will carry an A4 sized pocket-folder,(which they will have ,after a while, for their homework) and their lunch. Children often have trouble fitting everything into their bag, so a" big enough" bag makes life easier for them. Get your child to practice opening and closing and putting things in and taking things out of their schoolbag. These are small things but they help to make your child more independent and confident.
· Teach your child how to take off / put on their jumper and their coat. Teach them how to hang up their coat. Teach them how to pull up tights/ trousers/ tie a button after going to the toilet. Teach them how to pull out a sleeve of a coat or jumper that is inside-out. Teach them how to button/zip their coat if possible. These are little things, but mean a lot when a child knows how to do them.
. Shoes with velcro are easier for your child to manage unless they can tie their own laces.
. If your child has long hair it is better that they have their hair tied up, every day, in a pig-tail/plait as it helps minimise unwanted outbreaks of head lice. It is also good because they will be able to see the whiteboard and their books clearly. After a while they will associate a bobbin and hairband/clips, if needed, as part of their uniform.
. If your child is using any of the school buses please ensure that they know that they must sit down and wear their seat belts at all times. It would be a good idea to check that your child is doing this, with the bus driver, regularly.
· Sometimes if you ask your child “What did you do today in school?” they will answer “Nothing”! However,if you ask them “Did you colour/draw/count/say rhymes/ sing/ read a story today ?” you might get an answer!
. If your child is not already a member of Athlone Library it would be a great idea to join, and it's free! -details on their website underneath.Just remember to bring proof of your identity and of your address on your first visit in case they ask for it. They are open late (8 pm) on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as Saturday mornings and your child will love the weekly trip! Click HERE for further information.
. Rainbows was developed as an organisation,to provide children and young people an opportunity for support after a painful loss, whether it's a death, a divorce or separation. For further information click HERE
. Finally, if you would like some tips on parenting and good advice on a whole range of parenting issues, Triple P Positive Parenting Programme run very good seminars and parenting talks locally, specifically for parents of children up to age 7, that are very helpful and practical and are free. Have a look at their website HERE for contact details.
Remember, if you have any questions about school, just ask the teacher! If you have something in particular that you would like to discuss with me you can make an appointment with me or through, Aedine, our school secretary.
“Big school” is a whole new environment for the Junior Infant child. I spend a lot of time in September getting the children settled in and being happy coming into school. Developing good social skills is very important at this stage. I have 5 groups in my classroom, red, yellow, green and blue and white which we call bord dearg /buí / glas/ gorm/ bán. During the first few weeks of the year children are usually sitting where they sat the first morning, wherever they chose, but after a few weeks they are ready for me to move them around and into a new group. From then on I move the children at the beginning of each new month. This ensures that they get a chance to know everyone and helps them to develop socially.
At the start of the year, we concentrate on learning the names of children in their group and then move on to names of all the children in the class. Children learn to share, to be kind to others, to let everyone play in the game, to listen, to put up their hand and to take their turn. We don’t run ,inside, or on the paths or tarmac outside. We are very lucky in Tubberclare that the children have a big field, where they can run freely, under supervision in their area, at big-lunch. It is wonderful to have such outdoor space. Children are reminded that pushing, pulling, name calling, or swinging on chairs when inside is not allowed. For our Classroom Rules Song click HERE. Children are taught to be kind, include everyone in games, remember their manners and to do what they are told quickly. Sometimes these have to be said over and over again, but it is worth it as it makes for a happy school life.
Tosaíonn turas míle, míle leis an gcéad choischéim ....
Beginning school for the first time can be a little daunting for some children not to mention their parents!
Here are some tips for parents for the big day and beyond which you might find helpful.
. On the first morning, bring your child to the classroom and I will give your child a sticker with their name. There will be lots of activities for your child to do in the classroom, computers, blocks, sandtray, jig-saws etc. Your child can sit wherever they choose or they can go to one of the activity areas and play.
. If your child has a coat you can help them to hang up their coat in the cloakroom outside my classroom. Boys' cloakroom is on the left and the girls on the right. ( Toilets are located here also ). Each child will have their own coat-hook and their name will be beside it so it should be easy for you to find thanks.
. If you would like, you can bring a camera to photograph your child on this special day.
. Remember to try not to delay too long. Having assured your child that you will be back to collect him/her give your child a hug and leave. If your child is upset, don't worry, generally this stops quickly and we are used to distracting children and helping children to settle in. Before long, children start playing with toys, talking to other children and are absorbed in their new surroundings.
· Always try to be on time, both in the morning and to collect your child after school. Some children can get upset if you are even a little bit late and might think you are never going to come! In the morning I start promptly at 9 20 and your child misses out if they arrive late. Please let me know if your child is going home with someone different in the afternoon ,or telephone the school if there is a change of plan during the day, as can sometimes happen. Please send in a note of explanation for any day your child is absent as we need them for our files.
. Give your child a healthy lunch, and make sure they have enough but don't go overboard! You will be the best judge of the right amount for them after a few weeks when they are staying until 2 o clock. Practice, with your child, opening and closing their lunchbox and drink so that they can do it without help. I can always help them but it is better for them if they are able to do it themselves. As a rule, children are not allowed share lunches- this way you will know exactly what your child has eaten each day and children don't feel pressurised to give things away. The only exception to this is if a child has forgotton their lunch I might ask for volunteers to donate something small. If you would like some ideas on healthy lunches click HERE.
. Always include a bottle of water.You can use a re-usable bottle or beaker for drinks so that your child can open it him/herself and it will lessen the amount of cartons/bottles in your shopping trolley.
. Label everything – books, copies, pencils, twistables, bag, lunch- box, coat, hat, scarf, gloves, jumper – whatever your child brings to school. Please label books on the outside front cover as it helps me when giving out books. On the first day I check all jumpers for names and write their names on them if you have not already done so. It avoids confusion if each child has their name on their jumper.
. All your child's books will be collected by me on the first day of school, checked for labelling, and will be put on a bookshelf. This has a dual purpose- it minimises the risk of books getting lost and your child won't have to carry a heavy bag. Please warn your child of this as they might get upset if they think they will never see their lovely new books again! If, by any chance, your child is missing a book I will put a note for you in their lunch-box. For booklist scroll down after clicking HERE
. Buy your child a good-sized school bag , that is easy for them to open and one that will carry an A4 sized pocket-folder,(which they will have ,after a while, for their homework) and their lunch. Children often have trouble fitting everything into their bag, so a" big enough" bag makes life easier for them. Get your child to practice opening and closing and putting things in and taking things out of their schoolbag. These are small things but they help to make your child more independent and confident.
· Teach your child how to take off / put on their jumper and their coat. Teach them how to hang up their coat. Teach them how to pull up tights/ trousers/ tie a button after going to the toilet. Teach them how to pull out a sleeve of a coat or jumper that is inside-out. Teach them how to button/zip their coat if possible. These are little things, but mean a lot when a child knows how to do them.
. Shoes with velcro are easier for your child to manage unless they can tie their own laces.
. If your child has long hair it is better that they have their hair tied up, every day, in a pig-tail/plait as it helps minimise unwanted outbreaks of head lice. It is also good because they will be able to see the whiteboard and their books clearly. After a while they will associate a bobbin and hairband/clips, if needed, as part of their uniform.
. If your child is using any of the school buses please ensure that they know that they must sit down and wear their seat belts at all times. It would be a good idea to check that your child is doing this, with the bus driver, regularly.
· Sometimes if you ask your child “What did you do today in school?” they will answer “Nothing”! However,if you ask them “Did you colour/draw/count/say rhymes/ sing/ read a story today ?” you might get an answer!
. If your child is not already a member of Athlone Library it would be a great idea to join, and it's free! -details on their website underneath.Just remember to bring proof of your identity and of your address on your first visit in case they ask for it. They are open late (8 pm) on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as Saturday mornings and your child will love the weekly trip! Click HERE for further information.
. Rainbows was developed as an organisation,to provide children and young people an opportunity for support after a painful loss, whether it's a death, a divorce or separation. For further information click HERE
. Finally, if you would like some tips on parenting and good advice on a whole range of parenting issues, Triple P Positive Parenting Programme run very good seminars and parenting talks locally, specifically for parents of children up to age 7, that are very helpful and practical and are free. Have a look at their website HERE for contact details.
Remember, if you have any questions about school, just ask the teacher! If you have something in particular that you would like to discuss with me you can make an appointment with me or through, Aedine, our school secretary.
“Big school” is a whole new environment for the Junior Infant child. I spend a lot of time in September getting the children settled in and being happy coming into school. Developing good social skills is very important at this stage. I have 5 groups in my classroom, red, yellow, green and blue and white which we call bord dearg /buí / glas/ gorm/ bán. During the first few weeks of the year children are usually sitting where they sat the first morning, wherever they chose, but after a few weeks they are ready for me to move them around and into a new group. From then on I move the children at the beginning of each new month. This ensures that they get a chance to know everyone and helps them to develop socially.
At the start of the year, we concentrate on learning the names of children in their group and then move on to names of all the children in the class. Children learn to share, to be kind to others, to let everyone play in the game, to listen, to put up their hand and to take their turn. We don’t run ,inside, or on the paths or tarmac outside. We are very lucky in Tubberclare that the children have a big field, where they can run freely, under supervision in their area, at big-lunch. It is wonderful to have such outdoor space. Children are reminded that pushing, pulling, name calling, or swinging on chairs when inside is not allowed. For our Classroom Rules Song click HERE. Children are taught to be kind, include everyone in games, remember their manners and to do what they are told quickly. Sometimes these have to be said over and over again, but it is worth it as it makes for a happy school life.
Tosaíonn turas míle, míle leis an gcéad choischéim ....