The Pre-Primary 1 Parents Must-Have:
The P1 Parents’ Survival Guide to Primary School
Survival Tip 6: Exploring the Primary School both on Site and on Line
Attend the P1 Orientation:
Have you and your child attended the orientation programme? Most schools typically hold their P1 orientation on a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning in November. If you have attended the school P1 orientation, your child will have met their classmates for the first time and might even see familiar faces. They might have some of their Pre-school classmates in their class or at least in their school - this will make them feel more reassured.
Engage your child in conversations about Primary school life:
• Typical school day
Share your own story of how a typical primary school day is like. For instance, it will be good to point out the differences between your child’s pre-school and primary school.
• Greater class size
For e.g. there may be only about 15 students in the pre-school but 30 students in the primary school.
• Teacher talk loudly
Thus, the teacher may need to speak loudly to ensure that all 30 students can hear her. Some children are not used to this and may think the teacher is scolding them. Some children may also be intimidated by the sheer size of the school and number of fellow pupils, or having to learn new rules and routines different from those in pre-school, such as longer class sessions and the absence of a nap time. There are certainly times that the teachers will be raising their voices. Assure your child that as long as he/she follows the teachers’ instructions, the teacher will not scold him/her. It might be good to discuss with your child the situations when the teacher might scold the students and how to take it in their stride even when they are being scolded.
• Train your child to be independent
Your child will also need to be independent and acquire life skills like buying food on their own, going to the washrooms on their own and wearing shoes on their own. If your child still rely on you to complete the mentioned tasks, do make use of the period before school starts to get your child to be independent. Also inform your child that permission must be obtained from the teacher if he/she needs to visit the washroom during lesson time.
• School bus
If your child is taking the school bus, share with your child about how it is like to take the school bus and what are the rules that he/she should take note of.
Travel to the school and explore the school grounds with your child
Travel to the school together and explore the school grounds and environment with your child. A good chance to do so is to bring your child along when you purchase books and school uniforms.
Surf the school website
You can also find out more about the school through the school's website and together with your child, explore the facilities and activities offered by the school.
Keep in touch with the school
If your have a child with special needs, do communicate with the teachers or even principals through email or make an appointment with the school. If your child needs special attention, the school will try their best to make arrangements to help your child to navigate successfully in school.
Always keep in mind that that just like you, your child’s school also hope that your child can integrate into Primary school smoothly.
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