Essential skills children should learn before starting school

Back in 2014 Ofsted called for a checklist to be issued to parents regarding the 10 skills children should learn before starting school. Of this, it includes being toilet trained and talking in sentences. The reasoning behind this checklist being issued to parents is that according to Ofsted to many children were starting school not ready. Many people could argue that this is not true and since 2014 this has massively improved and children should be treated as individuals.

Let’s take a look at some of the skills Ofsted say children should learn before starting school

• Following simple instructions
• Able to use the toilet
• Make themselves understood by others
• Have essential skills such as sitting still, listening and following commands
• To be aware of other peers
• Follow boundaries set for behaviour
• Ask an adult for help
• Undress themselves
• Talk in sentences
• Recognise their own name

Some of the above skills may be difficult for children to achieve and this can often leave parents feeling anxious about their child starting school, some children may need some further support in order to help get them ready. Communicating with parents is essential as many of these skills can be learnt and practised in the home environment as well as nursery eg undressing and dressing.