Page 38 - Education Supplement August Edition 2023

Taking the leap from Grade R into Grade 1

Helpful hints to prepare your child for “big school.”

he leap from Grade R into Grade 1 can be daunting. As our little ones At HeronBridge, we run several initiatives that
move from the pre-prep into “big school,” they can often experience some introduce our Grade Rs to the Grade 1 experience
Tnervousness as they are required to be more independent. as well as to their teachers and the heads of
school. “Relationships are everything when
At HeronBridge College, we are very intentional about the relationship between preparing our learners for Grade 1,” says Gina
child, parent, and teacher, and it is essential that everyone feels well-prepared for Brunsden, head of the junior prep. “We host a
Grade 1. Over the last few years, we have seen children’s anxiety increase and have Grade R ‘inning’ where our kids play games with
implemented practical ways to better prepare and encourage our children for their our prep staff and are treated to big kid things
journey into prep school. like a Seattle Coffee Company milkshake that they
buy with their own voucher. We run orientation
The HBC teachers offer some practical advice on how to navigate the big feelings meetings with parents and children separately and
that our little people can feel as they get ready for Grade 1: even have a teddy-bear picnic with the Grade Rs
and the Grade 1 staff, building those relationships
in a relevant, meaningful, and not-so-scary way.”
1. The jump from pre-prep into Grade 1 is developmentally a step into
independence. Talk to your child often about what they are feeling and why, If you’d like to learn more about our
and encourage them to take small steps that build bravery and courage – like Grade 1 programme or are looking for some
walking to their classroom on their own or making their own lunch boxes. advice on the transition from Grade R,
2. Flip anxiety on its head, having dinner conversations about worry versus we would love to hear from you. Contact us at
excitement. Ask your child to visualise one thing they can’t wait to do, even info.heronbridge@curro.co.za or 011 540 4800.
if you must give them some examples of your favourite memories at school.
3. Ensure that your child knows that it’s okay to have butterflies and that you www.heronbridge.co.za
are in this feeling with them, using phrases like “we’ll do this together” and Educating with heart
“we’ve got this.”
4. Reinforce routine and stability by making a weekly planner with your child,
drawing pictures, or writing out all the activities they can look forward to at
school each day.
5. When your child’s teacher has been announced, print a picture from the
school app and put it up on the fridge. Remind your child often over the
December holidays of the lovely person that will be looking after them next
year and what they will be learning together.
6. If your child is new to the school or going into a class with new people,
identify a family at orientation evening and have a play date so that your
child can build a friendship before the year starts. Meet that friend in the car
park on the first day of school and let your children walk to class together.

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