Four Ways to Build SCHOOL READINESS By Learning Resources
Starting school is an exciting milestone for young children, and helping them develop confidence before and during Reception can make the transition much smoother. School readiness is about much more than recognising letters and numbers, it includes building independence, communication skills, social skills, fine motor development, and early numeracy. Through hands-on, play-based experiences, teachers can support children in developing these essential foundations while keeping learning enjoyable and engaging.
Here are four simple classroom activities inspired by the Learning Resources Big School Ready Guide that help children develop key skills needed for a successful start to school.
1 What you’ll need:
Snacks (e.g., crackers, carrot sticks, cereal hoops or fruit). Plates or bowls
2. Let’s Get Ready
Help children build confidence in dressing skills and managing their own belongings with this simple activity. Set out familiar items such as coats, shoes, jumpers and bags, and invite children to follow a simple sequence to get ready for an imaginary outing. Then, discuss what comes first, next, and last, helping children build sequencing skills while learning independence. You can extend this activity by providing zippers, buttons or buckles to help them practise trickier fine motor movements associated with getting dressed.
20 1. Snack Time Sorting
Early maths skills can be developed through everyday experiences. At snack time, invite children to sort and count food onto different plates, asking questions such as, “Which plate has more?” or “Can you count three crackers?” This introduces mathematical language like more, less, same and how many, while helping children understand that numbers represent quantities. You can also help them practice sharing and turn- taking by asking children to place the snacks one at a time onto a shared plate. This simple activity builds counting skills, cooperation and confidence, while promoting positive social interactions as children enjoy the snacks together.
2 What you’ll need:
Everyday items (coats, shoes, jumpers, etc.)
309328 – Dressing Skills Beanbags
For more ideas and inspiration visit
ypo.co.uk/littlelearners
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