06/10/2025
“Getting Ready for School – Therapist Tips for Parents!”
Starting school is such an exciting milestone — but it can also feel a little overwhelming (for kids and parents!).
Here are a few therapist-approved tips to help your child feel confident, capable and calm when they start school next year:
🧠 Build independence early
Practise opening lunchboxes, managing zips, toileting, washing hands, and packing their bag. These small wins build confidence!
💬 Strengthen communication
Encourage your child to ask for help, tell you about their day, and express emotions using words — it helps them feel heard and understood at school.
✏️ Develop fine motor skills
Play with playdough, draw, cut, build with blocks, or squeeze pegs — all of these strengthen little hands for writing and cutting tasks.
🤝 Practise social play
Model sharing, taking turns, and joining in games. Practising these skills in a safe, supportive way helps kids feel more comfortable with peers.
🪑 Work on attention and listening
Try short games like “Simon Says” or story time with simple instructions to help build listening and focus for classroom learning.
💛 Celebrate effort, not perfection!
School readiness isn’t about being able to read or write before Prep — it’s about being ready to learn and feeling secure enough to try.
Each child’s journey looks different, and that’s okay.
If your child could use a little extra support, our Ready, Set, School! group therapy program helps children build confidence across all these areas in a fun, play-based environment led by OTs and Speech Pathologists.
📅 January school holidays 13/01, 14/01, 20/01 & 21/01
🕒 9:30am - 1:00pm
📍 Torquay
🔗 Join the waitlist - www.flyingstartchildrenstherapy.com.au/ready-set-school
