Getting Ready for Nursery

There are lots of ways to help your child get ready for nursery. Here are some key skills you can practise together at home.

Ask a grown-up to help you practise:

• following simple instructions, such as to collect or put away an object;
• asking simple questions and talking in sentences;
• kicking and catching a large ball;
• holding and using pencils, crayons or paintbrushes to make marks;
• moving in different ways, such as hopping, jumping and running;
• taking turns when playing games together;
• using a spoon to eat and a cup to drink;
• using the toilet and washing and drying your hands;
• putting on your coat and shoes;
• talking about stories you’ve read together;
• saying number names in order to five;
• playing counting and number games;
• talking about people who are special to you and special occasions for your family;
• talking about what you see in the world around you;
• creating sounds and singing songs;
• playing make-believe games by pretending

Other things you can do:

• Ask a grown-up to write your name into all your clothes, including your coat.

• Practise talking about things you like and enjoy doing. What are your favourite toys to play with? What do you like doing with your family at home?

• Talk about how you are feeling. Can you tell a grown-up when you feel happy or sad?

• Read stories together and sing songs and nursery rhymes. What is your favourite story? Can you sing your favourite nursery rhyme?

• Talk about coming to nursery. Do you know anyone else who will be at your nursery? What are you looking forward to?