Supporting Your Child's Learning
There are many ways in which you can support and encourage your child to do well at school. This may include:
For babies/ toddlers:
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Regularly visit a toy-library and select fun and educational toys.
We operate an excellent free toy-library here at Smithy Street on Monday Mornings. Make time to play with your child. - Visit ‘Mother and Baby’ and ‘Toddler’ playgroups. Your child will learn social skills, such as sharing from and early age, and will find settling in, when starting school, much easier
- Talk to your child as much as possible. It is very important to talk in your own ‘mother-tongue’, even if this is not English. This will enhance your child’s capacity to learn other languages and learn difficult concepts later on in life.
- Read bedtime stories to your child as often as possible. Talk about the pictures and the stories with your child.
- Limit the amount of time your child watches television. Research has shown that children who watch a lot of T.V. have a less development vocabulary and do less well at school later on.
- Make sure your child follows a healthy and varied diet. This should be low in sugar, but have plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep. Every child has different needs, but generally children under 5 need at least 12 hours a night.
Book sharing is fun
For older children:
- Continue to play with and talk to your child. Ask them about their day, what they did and what they enjoyed.
- Take your child to parks and museums. They are free, and are great fun! Follow this link to a great selection of choices
- Continue to read with your child, or discuss the books they read with them.
- Support your child with their homework. If you are unsure about a task yourself, please do not hesitate to ask for help at school. We are currently in the process of organising courses for parents to be held in our toy-library. In addition, we hold regular informative meetings for parents.
- Make sure your child continues to eat a healthy diet. If your child takes a packed lunch to school, ensure it contains appropriate food, such as sandwiches, yoghurt and fruit. Please not NOT give then chocolate, crisps, biscuits or cakes.
- Walk to school if possible; ensure your child gets regular exercise. We offer plenty of before and after school sports clubs at Smithy Street.
- Make sure your child attends school every day, unless they are unwell. Shopping trips, trips to the airport, or translating for family members during doctor visits are NOT authorised absences. Please note we can never authorise family holidays outside term- time. If you do decide to take your child out on extended leave, you are unfortunately at risk of losing your child’s place at school, as it may be offered to a child on the waiting list.
- Continue to make sure your child gets enough sleep. Children up to 10 years may still need up to 10 hours sleep at night.
- Make sure your child is dressed appropriately for school, this includes warm coats in the winter and suitable footwear. Sandals and high heels are a health hazard, as is any type of jewellery. Your child may be asked to remove jewellery for this reason.
- Limit the amount of time your child watches television or uses a Playstation/ game computer. Again, research has shown that children who use these excessively, do less well at school.