Education and parenting articles from the King's team

25 Skills to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten

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Kindergarten is an exciting milestone that lays the foundation for their educational journey. As parents, we play a key role in equipping our children with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the classroom.

We'll explore a some valuable skills to help your child make a smooth transition to kindergarten. It's important to recognise that every child is different and learns at their own pace. Ultimately, the goal is not just to tick off a checklist of skills but to foster a love for learning and exploration that will serve them well throughout their academic journey.

By providing a supportive and nurturing environment tailored to each child's needs, you can help them flourish and develop the skills necessary for success in kindergarten and beyond.

1. Letters of the Alphabet
2. Name Recognition
3. Grip a Pencil
4. Write your Name
5. Scissor Skills
6. Colours
7. Numbers
8. Shapes
9. Days of Week
10. Months of the Year
11. Birthday
12. Sorting
13. Parts of the Body

14. Rhyming Words
15. Hand Dominance
16. Follow Instructions
17. Hygiene and Self Care
18. Get Dressed
19. Cleaning Up
20. Sharing
21. Sitting Still
22. Listen
23. Book Handling
24. Separate from Parents
25. Craft Activities

Get Ready for Prep - A Guide for Parents

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At the time of writing, it is the beginning of February and the new school year has just begun. For many families, it’s the beginning of a whole new chapter as their child starts school for the first time.

For other families, Prep is a year away, and many parents will be concerned whether their child will be ready for school in 12 months time.

When a child begins Prep, parents are often unsure as to what foundations and skills their little learner should be equipped with.

Topics: Parenting, Primary School, Social Skills, Preschool, Prep, Friendship

What's in a Name?

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A few years ago, there were more baby girls called ‘Khaleesi’ than ‘Britney’, as parents across the English-speaking world named their daughters after a character from the all-conquering Game of Thrones books and TV series. Since the series ended in 2019, however, the trend has nosedived, with precisely zero registrations of the name ‘Khaleesi’ in the USA so far this year. This has me wondering about the influence of pop culture on children’s names.

Topics: Parenting

Teaching Kids Conversation Skills

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I’ve never been great at small talk. It is only when I can burrow beneath surface-level chit-chat level that I become truly engaged.

I am, however, considerably more advanced at the art of polite conversation than my children. My boys are either too direct (eg “My grandad’s losing his hair too”) or shy and monosyllabic, mumbling to their shoes when spoken to by someone unfamiliar.

Topics: Parenting, High School, Primary School, Social Skills, Preschool

Why Your Child Should Play Chess

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Chess is often considered a game suited only to intellectually gifted people.  People assume that to play chess you must already have a rather high level of intelligence or at least be ‘a little bit smart’. While chess may be more instantly appealing to those whose minds already think in a strategic ‘chess-like' manner, research is showing that this increasingly popular game has significant benefits for everyone.

Topics: High School, Primary School, Prep, Numeracy

Teaching Your Child About Consent

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The concept of respectful relationships, including consent, has been discussed at a school level for some time, but it hasn’t yet gained universal traction with families. Lacking confidence and unsure where to start, many parents have struggled to make headway in this area. If this sounds familiar, these ideas will help you make a start.

Topics: Teens, High School, Behaviour, Primary School, Social Skills, Preschool, Prep, Toddlers, Boys

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