Preparing Your Child for Starting School: Communication Skills Checklist

Starting school is a significant milestone for both children and their families. While it can be an exciting time, it can also bring a mix of emotions as parents wonder if their child is ready. One key area that can greatly influence a child’s success in school is communication. Strong communication skills are foundational not only for learning but also for forming friendships, following instructions, and navigating the school environment.

In this blog, we’ll explore the essential communication skills that children should develop before starting school, offer a handy checklist for parents to gauge their child's readiness, and share tips and activities to help enhance your child’s language and social skills.

Key Communication Skills Before Starting School

When we think about school readiness, many parents focus on academic skills like counting and recognising letters. However, communication skills are just as crucial, if not more so, for early school success. Here are some key communication skills your child should develop:

1. Listening Skills

   A child should be able to listen attentively to instructions and follow through with them. This involves both understanding what is being said (receptive language) and the ability to focus without getting easily distracted.

   
   

2. Expressing Needs and Ideas

   Children should feel confident expressing their needs, thoughts, and feelings in a clear and appropriate way. This includes asking for help when needed, sharing ideas in group activities, and talking about their day.

   
   

3. Understanding and Using Age-Appropriate Vocabulary

   By the time children start school, they should have a growing vocabulary and be able to use words in context. This includes naming common objects, understanding action words, and describing their experiences.

   
   

4. Conversation Skills

   Participating in a conversation involves more than just talking—it requires taking turns, maintaining a topic, and responding appropriately to what others are saying. These skills help children engage in social interactions with peers and teachers.

   
   

5. Following Multi-Step Directions

   School environments often involve complex instructions, like "Put away your books, then line up at the door." Your child should be able to follow two- to three-step directions to navigate the classroom environment efficiently.

   
   

6. Nonverbal Communication

   Recognising and using nonverbal cues like eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures are equally important for social interactions. These cues help children interpret social situations and respond appropriately.

   
   

Communication Skills Readiness Checklist

To help you assess your child's communication development, here's a quick checklist. Check off each skill your child has mastered:

• Listens attentively to short stories or instructions

• Follows simple two-step directions (e.g., "Pick up your toy and put it in the basket")

• Uses words to express needs (e.g., "I'm thirsty" or "I need help")

• Engages in back-and-forth conversations, taking turns to speak

• Uses appropriate words for everyday objects and actions

• Understands basic social cues, like when someone is happy or upset

• Responds appropriately to simple "wh-" questions (e.g., "What are you doing?")

• Participates in group activities without needing constant direction

  
  

If you notice your child struggling with several of these skills, don't worry! There's still time to help them build confidence. With some fun activities and engagement, your child can be ready to take on big school.

Tips and Activities to Enhance Language and Social Skills

1. Play Games That Encourage Listening and Following DirectionsGames like "Simon Says" or "Red Light, Green Light" are excellent for teaching children how to listen carefully and follow multi-step directions in a playful setting.

   
   

2. Engage in Daily ConversationsAsk open-ended questions like, "What was your favorite part of today?" or "Why do you think the sky is blue?" These questions encourage your child to think critically and express themselves in full sentences.

   
   

3. Read Together DailyReading aloud exposes your child to new vocabulary and helps develop listening skills. After reading, ask questions about the story, encouraging your child to retell parts of it.

   
   

4. Role-Play Social ScenariosYou can use dolls, action figures, or even just yourselves to role-play different social situations, such as introducing yourself to a new friend, asking for help from a teacher, or sharing toys with classmates.

   
   

5. Encourage Group PlayPlaydates and group activities help children practice conversation skills, cooperation, and taking turns. Try setting up small playgroups where your child can interact with peers.

   
   

6. Introduce Story Sequencing ActivitiesPractice storytelling with picture cards or simple stories. Ask your child to put the events in order. This will help them understand the structure of narratives, a skill important in both communication and literacy.

   
   

7. Practice Problem-Solving with "What Would You Do?" QuestionsPose different scenarios to your child, such as "What would you do if you spilled your drink?" or "What would you do if you wanted to play with a toy someone else is using?" This helps them think through their responses and practice verbal problem-solving.

   
   

Conclusion

Preparing your child for school goes beyond counting and writing. Communication is the key to success in the classroom and beyond. By focusing on these essential communication skills, you are not only preparing your child to thrive academically but also socially and emotionally. Keep the conversation going, play with language through everyday activities, and watch as your child becomes more confident and ready for the exciting journey ahead.