Time to Prepare Preppies

Written on the 22 January 2022 by Emily Toxward

PARENTS despondent at the delayed return of school are being urged to use the time to better prepare their prep-aged children for the start of their formal education.

Amaze Education's Lucy Cook said, instead of dwelling on the disappointment, now was the time to "super-proof" young ones.

"We all want a stress-free start to schooling and prep-aration is the key," she said.

"One of the biggest struggles for your child starting school is fatigue.

"They are dealing with a new environment, rules, routines, friends, expectations.

"Children's postural muscles are still developing so even sitting for longer periods of time on a mat or chair is tiring. If we can practise school at home, we can super-proof their start."

Ms Cook, a qualified teacher who has been in the education industry for more than two decades, recently opened a centre in Beaudesert to complement her stable of centres across the Gold Coast and Ipswich.

"As a teacher myself, my top tips would be to find out your school's timetable and routine and mirror it at home, including wearing uniform and a hat outside," she said.

"Set alarms for the school's break times so the children can learn when it is eating time and when it is playing time.

"Encourage lunch box eating practice opening packets, boxes and bottles, then have a run around outside."

Ms Cook suggests making a visual routine and checklist, taking pictures of each activity, and sticking them in order on a poster, because young children still struggle with time management. Parents should also limit sleeping after lunch to imitate what school will be like.

"This at-home transition program is also a time to learn how much your child will eat as well as what they like and what they don't like." Ms Cook said.

"Be super proud of them. These resilient little cookies have been so used to having things delayed and cancelled in their short lives.

"Give them lots of praise when they do things well or for the first time."

In addition to running a multimillion-dollar enterprise, Ms Cook has four sons, including identical twins, and is also a stepmother to her husband's three children, two of which are identical twins.

The former Mudgeeraba State School teacher is also a life member of the Gold Coast Multiple Birth Association.

Looking ahead to what 2022 holds for the early child-hood sector on the Gold Coast, Ms Cook said the focus would be on character building.

"Covid has helped produce a generation of children who have had to be flexible and resilient, who have got accustomed to disappointment." she said.

"The jobs we are currently preparing these children for don't exist so we need to focus on the skills that will help them take on the world.

"Increasingly parents are looking for a childhood like the one they had.

"We are advocates for risky play as it helps make children safer, with an emphasis on bush kindy and the outdoors.

"I think the era of cotton-wooling is over."

TIPS FOR STARTING SCHOOL

• Create a visual chart of their new daily routine.
• Teach children how to open lunch boxes and containers.
• Practise getting ready for school in the morning.
• Talk about independent toileting.
• Reduce nap times in preparedness for school.