Parents must do these 7 things now in preparation for kids starting school in September

The Sun

10-07-2025

Abigail Wilson, Senior Digital Writer
Published: Invalid Date,
PARENTS have been urged to do seven things now to prepare their children ahead of starting school in September.
A primary school teacher, who looks after a reception class of four and five-year-olds, has shared her top tips for parents whose kids will soon be heading to school.
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Not only did the teacher stress the importance of teaching little ones independence, but she also gave advice on why mums and dads should expose children to loud noises.
Posting on social media, the blonde beauty also urged parents who have any worries or questions to 'always ask' and acknowledged that no concern is 'too silly.'
Teaching name recognition
First things first, this teacher recognised that while it is not essential for your child to be able to write their name before they start school, it is 'extremely helpful' for them and teachers if they can recognise their moniker from a group.
As a result, the teacher advised: 'Start small and practice recognising their name from just a small group of two or three names and then gradually increase.'
Encouraging independence
Secondly, if your little one is due to start school in just two months' time, you'll need to begin teaching them to be independent.
According to this expert, it's vital that you encourage your child to practice putting on their coat by themselves, practice placing their belongings in their bag and teaching them to use plastic utensils independently.
Not only this, but she also advised parents to encourage children to practice going to the toilet by themselves, as well as washing and drying their hands independently.
Exposing children to loud noises
It might sound random to some, but according to this teacher, exposing children to loud noises is vital before they begin school.
This teacher recommended getting little ones familiar with the sound of hand dryers in public toilets, as she explained: 'This may just be my school, however we ALWAYS have at least one child who is scared of the hand dryers.'
Writing their name correctly
Additionally, for those teaching their youngster how to write their name, you'll need to take notes.
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According to this teacher, it's vital that when you teach your child to spell their name, they are taught to write it in the appropriate upper and lower case.
She stressed the importance of encouraging youngsters to write their name with a capital letter to start and the rest in lower case, as she claimed: 'We often get children starting school and writing their name in block capitals and it's a horrible habit to fix.'
Getting into a routine
And that's not all, as if your child is going to bed and waking up whenever they want, it's now time to start fixing these habits.
In UK primary schools, reception typically starts at around 8:45am or 9:00am and ends around 3:15pm or 3:30pm.
As a result, this teacher recommended: 'Establish a morning and bed time routine in preparation for your first day.'
The importance of reading
When it comes to reading bedtime stories, rather than simply picking up any old book from the shelf and talking away, this teacher has shared her top recommendation.
She advised: 'If you wish to start teaching early reading, recognising sounds etc, I would recommend researching your school Phonics Scheme so you follow the same prompts.'
Giving kids choices
And finally, as well as teaching your child independence, it's key that you encourage them to make decisions for themselves too.
Great post, with useful tips. All children progress at different rates, but these are good small steps
TikTok user
So if you want to ensure your little darling is prepared to head to school soon, you'll need to ensure you encourage them to start making choices independently.
If you're unsure where to start, this teacher urged parents to give kids options for what to have for dinner and let them choose what they want to eat.
Parents react
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ eyfsreceptionteacher, has clearly impressed many, as it has quickly racked up 139,300 views in just one day.
Not only this, but it's also amassed 2,902 likes, 77 comments and 1,739 saves.
Secrets of a school headteacher
By the Secret Schoolteacher
I STARTED working in schools in 1996, when parents respected teachers and left us alone to do our jobs. Not any more.
Nowadays parents think nothing of barging into schools to read teachers the riot act if their precious child has been told off, or they'll send angry emails in the middle of the night. Warning — it doesn't make you popular.
I've worked in all manner of schools across the south west of England, from state schools to private, and I can tell you that right now many teachers are dreading the start of the new school year.
They're braced for tears and tantrums, not just from their pupils but from their parents too.
Believe me, if you are an annoying parent it will spread round the staff room like wildfire.
So whether it's your kid's first day at a new school, or they're moving up a year, these are the things you do that drive teachers crazy . . .
Parents often turn up at the school gates complaining how frazzled they are, moaning that teachers must have had a nice long holiday while their six weeks stuck with the kids was the worst.
Nothing could be further from the truth. For the first two weeks I'll almost certainly have been struck down by a lurgy which always seems to strike on the first day of the holiday.
The next two weeks might have been an actual holiday, just like the average Brit takes in the summer, followed by two weeks of frantic lesson planning and administration.
Also, consider that I've probably been working over 50 hours per week during term time. Contrary to popular opinion, we don't clock off at 3pm.
Instead, we're roped into all manner of after-school activities and meetings before going home to do marking and more lesson planning. Please don't turn up and make sarcastic remarks about our 'six weeks off'.
We won't be happy.
Parents were incredibly grateful for the teacher's advice and many eagerly flocked to the comments to express this.
One person said: 'Thanks for sharing these tips.'
Another added: 'Great post, with useful tips. All children progress at different rates, but these are good small steps.'
A third commented: 'As a parent this is very helpful, thank you.'
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