Robertson National School

1. Robertson National School Welcome to our Open Afternoon

2. The purpose of this visit • To help you and your child become familiar with the: • classroom • staff • other children. • To answer any questions you might have about school • To talk about things you can do with your child to prepare for starting school in September

3. Information • Junior Infant Leaflet • School Information Booklet • Uniform List • ‘I’m me and who’s like me’ book • Policies

4. School Information • School hours – 9.20 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. • Morning break – 11.00 a.m. -11.15 a.m. • Lunchtime – 12.30 p.m. – 1.00 p.m. • Supervision is not provided for children before 9.00 a.m. or after 3.20 p.m.

5. Talking to your child Your child may be anxious about what to expect on the first day at school. If so, one way of helping them is to talk: • explain where they'll be going, what they'll be doing, and for how long;  • answer questions, and iron out any fears by asking what they think the school might be like; • emphasise the things they may enjoy doing; • Don't dismiss your child's fears - things that seem obvious or silly to an adult can seem like terrible obstacles to a four year old.

6. Building on practical skills • If children have a good idea of what school is going to be like and have already experienced learning activities at home and in other settings, they're less likely to find the experience stressful.  • Games, role-plays and reading at home can help your child get into the right frame of mind and boost their confidence.

7. Activities for your child could include: • playing games that involve taking turns or speaking in front of a group playing with children of a similar age to develop social skills • reading books about starting school • using your child's favourite toys to role-play going to school • painting and drawing, which involve sitting down for short periods of time

8. In the weeks before school starts In the run-up to the first day of term you could: • involve your child in choosing things they need for school such as school bags or uniforms • visit the school with your child so they become familiar with the building and the local area • establish a routine and discuss what might be happening at school at different times of the day 

9. Learning with your child • You are your child's first teacher, and understand them better than anyone else. By talking to them, playing with them, and introducing simple skills you can help set the scene for their future development.

10. Read together • Everywhere you go with your child you have a chance to read together. Whether it's on the bus, in shops or at the post office, you can point out the words around you and that's the beginning of reading. Reading stories with your child, even if for just 10 minutes a day, will help to build important skills, as well as capture your child's interest in books.

11. Learning about numbers and shapes • Counting things and noticing shapes come naturally to children, so you can use your child's interest in these activities to help with maths. Maths skills can be developed through stories, songs, games and imaginative play. Even helping in everyday tasks like telling time or measuring ingredients for cooking, gives children the chance to learn new maths skills.

12. Spending quality time together • Turning off the television or computer and spending time with your child creates valuable opportunities for learning. Here are a few ideas about activities that your child can learn from: • pottering around the garden together teaches children about plant life, insects and animals • simple kitchen tasks, like letting your child spread the jam on sandwiches, can give an early lesson in cooking and improve motor skills • playing games together teaches fair play and cooperative behaviour • family and holiday photos can give lessons in family history and geography

13. The first few weeks • We will find out what the children already know & can do & use this information to help us plan our teaching. • We would value any contributions you would like to make in helping us get to know your child’s needs. • You will be invited to discuss your child’s progress & adjustment to school within the first term.

14. Keep up to date…. • Please feel free to ring or email us if you have any questions • You are always welcome. Call in! • For the latest news, look on the website www.robertson.ie

15. Our curriculum is organised into six main areas of learning : • Personal, Social and Emotional Development (S.P.H.E.) • Communication, Language & Literacy • Mathematical Development • Knowledge & Understanding of the World (S.E.S.E.) • Physical Development • Creative Development (Arts)

16. Personal, Social and Emotional Development The children will learn to: • be self-confident; • take an interest in things; • know what their own needs are; • tell the difference between right and wrong; • share and play with others.

17. Communication, Language and Literacy The children will learn to: • talk confidently and clearly; • enjoy listening to stories, songs and poems; • hear and say sounds, and link them to the alphabet; • read and write familiar words; • learn to use a pencil.

18. Mathematical Development The children will: • develop an understanding of maths through stories, songs, games and imaginative play; • become comfortable with numbers and with ideas such as 'heavier than' or 'bigger’; • be aware of shapes and space.

19. Knowledge and Understanding of the World The children will: • explore and find out about the world around them, asking questions about it; • build with different materials, know about everyday technology and learn what it is used for; • find out about past events in their lives and the lives of people in their family.

20. Creative Development The children will explore: • colours and shapes; • making things; • movement; • making music.

21. Physical Development The children will learn to • move confidently; • control their body; • handle equipment.