Preparing for Primary School: The 3 Essential Skills Your Child Needs Beyond Writing and Math

When children start school, parents should not have high expectations of them at this point. Instead, focus on nurturing these three essential skills.

Teach Proper Posture for Studying

At this stage, children have not yet been trained to sit properly before entering kindergarten, so they tend to slouch or hunch over their desks. They might also move around frequently, lean their heads on their hands, or even squat on their chairs.

Sitting incorrectly can lead to back problems, nearsightedness, and a lack of focus, affecting their academic performance. To improve this, parents can try the following:

Encourage proper sitting posture, such as keeping the back straight and head inclined towards the book or task at hand.

For instance, if a child is reading a picture book, their mind may wander. Here, parents can gently remind them to keep their back straight and head tilted towards the book. Or, when they’re drawing or writing, parents can instruct them to sit up straight, maintaining a comfortable distance from the table. Additionally, encourage your child to take breaks and move around to avoid fatigue.

Forming good posture habits helps prevent health issues like back problems and nearsightedness, and it positively impacts a child’s ability to focus and learn. Therefore, parents should pay attention to their child’s posture from an early age and guide them to sit correctly, laying the foundation for good habits and future development.

Foster a Strong Sense of Responsibility

We often see students arriving late for class, looking lethargic, and struggling to focus. This not only affects their academic performance but also leads to disciplinary issues and even removal from the classroom.

Therefore, it’s crucial to instill a sense of responsibility and foster good habits from an early age. Parents can achieve this by implementing the following strategies:

Firstly, establish a structured daily routine for your child, including designated times for meals, sleep, study, and play. This will help your child develop self-discipline and a sense of responsibility.

Additionally, remember to encourage and praise your child when they complete their tasks well. This will motivate them to continue striving for excellence. On the other hand, avoid scolding or punishing them harshly when they make mistakes, as this may discourage them and dampen their enthusiasm for learning.

Foster a sense of responsibility and self-discipline in your child’s academic journey.

Teach Essential Social Rules and Manners

Some children tend to be possessive of their favorite toys or snacks, reluctant to share with others. It’s important to teach them about sharing, taking turns, and respecting others’ belongings. This fosters a sense of empathy and lays the foundation for developing social skills.

Additionally, teach your child the importance of saying “please” and “thank you,” as well as apologizing when necessary. These polite behaviors will make your child more likable and help them easily fit into peer groups. Moreover, these habits contribute to shaping their character and moral compass.

Teach your child essential social rules and manners to help them navigate social interactions effectively.

As children enter kindergarten, they will encounter the “real-world” social environment. They need to learn public manners, such as not making noise in public places, listening attentively in class, lining up for the bathroom, and using polite phrases. Therefore, parents should start teaching these social graces early on, rather than waiting until their child is older.

By guiding your child to develop essential life skills, such as sharing, apologizing, saying thank you, and following rules and discipline, you’re setting them up for a smooth transition into kindergarten and laying the groundwork for their future success in society.