DO THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR "STUFF" LOOKS LIKE?

Children's clothing and school uniforms can all look the same, and there's a reason parents are encouraged to "name" jumpers, hats, shoes, and other possessions so that your child doesn't bring home someone else's gear. But can your child recognise what their name looks like, so they know which jumper in the sea of other lookalike jumpers is theirs? Show your child where to find their name in each piece of clothing or other items so they can identify it easily, and write their name in large, clear letters - or use name tapes or labels that are easy to read

ARE THEY CONFIDENT WITH THEIR SCHOOL SHOES?

Roman sandals with buckles or lace-up shoes can be a challenge to a child who is used to velcro, jandals, or bare feet. Practice putting shoes on and taking them off, and ensure your child knows which shoe goes on which foot. And while it's tempting to save school shoes for the first day of school, it's a good idea to break them in before school starts, to avoid painful blisters or rubbing.

HOW DO THEY HANDLE THEIR LUNCH BOX?

Find out ahead of time what policies your child's school has for lunch foods and waste, as some schools have restrictions on what foods are and are not allowed. It's a good idea to have some "trial run" lunches in the week before your child goes to school. Does your child need to bring home any lunch waste (like apple cores, banana peels, or packaging)? Make sure your child knows this, and also If you're packing their lunch in small containers inside a lunch box, is your little one able to easily take off the lids? Another thing to think about is that lunch time is usually at the beginning of a longer playtime, and your child might be anxious to get up and run around the playground, so may rush through their lunch or not eat everything. Talk to them about how important it is to eat their lunch so they have energy to run around and play!

WHAT ARE THEIR WORRIES?

Going to primary school is an exciting rite of passage for your child (and for you!). But children can be concerned about all kinds of things that their parents don't realise. Ask your child what they think about going to school, and if there is anything they are worried about. They may be scared of getting lost in a new place, or leaving behind their friends from their early learning centre, or that their new teacher won't like them. All of these fears are normal, and it's important to acknowledge them together and think of possible solutions. For example, if your child is worried about getting lost, you could ask them, "If you feel like you might be lost, what do you think would help?" And encourage them to problem-solve with ideas like, "I can look for a teacher to help me." Over time, these fears will give way to confidence as your child adjusts to their exciting new learning environment.

CAN THEY MANAGE THE LOO?

School toilets are different to those at home. There may be cubicles with doors that latch, or the toilet flushes in a different way than at home, or there are paper towels (or no towels) by the sink. It's a good idea to find out what the toilet situation is at your child's new entrant classroom, and to ensure your child is able to work the door latch etc on their own. Also, have them practice going to the toilet at home while wearing their school uniform (if their school has one), so they will know how to unfasten and refasten shorts, tuck in tops, etc. And find out from the teacher what the protocol is for going to the loo - does your child need to wait until a certain time, or can they ask to go any time? Many children get anxious about going to the toilet at school, so prepare them ahead of time.