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School Readiness: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How You Can Start at Home
- Little Sprouts
- Mar 22
- 3 min read
Starting school is a big milestone for both children and parents! As exciting as it is, it can also feel a little overwhelming. One of the best ways to ease this transition is to focus on building school readiness skills. But what exactly does that mean? Let’s break it down!
What Is School Readiness?
School readiness is all about making sure your child has the skills they need to thrive in a school environment. It’s not just about knowing the ABCs and counting to ten—it’s also about social skills, emotional resilience, fine motor development, and being able to follow routines.
At Little Sprouts, our School Readiness Program is designed to support these essential skills through hands-on, nature-based play. We focus on:
Early Literacy: Recognising letters, learning to write their name, and building a love for stories.
Early Numeracy: Counting, sorting, and basic problem-solving.
Fine Motor Skills: Strengthening little hands through activities like cutting, threading, and mark-making.
Social Skills: Taking turns, sharing, and working together as a group.
Nature Connection: Encouraging curiosity and respect for the natural world.
Why Is School Readiness Important?
Building these skills before starting school helps children feel more confident and prepared. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by new routines and expectations, they’ll recognise familiar activities and concepts. Plus, developing fine motor skills makes writing and using tools so much easier when the time comes!
Social and emotional readiness is just as important—feeling comfortable with peers, managing emotions, and knowing how to listen and follow instructions are key to a positive school experience.
How Can You Support School Readiness at Home?
The good news is that supporting school readiness doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming! Here are 5 super simple activities you can set up at home to help your child build confidence and skills:
Name Treasure Hunt 📝Write your child’s name on pieces of paper and hide them around the yard or house. Encourage your child to find and collect the letters, then put them in order to spell their name.
Nature Sorting Tray 🍂Collect small items like leaves, stones, and flowers. Use an ice cube tray or muffin tin to sort them by size, colour, or type. This builds early numeracy and fine motor skills while engaging with nature.
Story Stones 📚Paint or draw simple pictures on small rocks (like a sun, a tree, or an animal). Use them to tell a story together, letting your child place the stones in order as they narrate. This helps with sequencing and creative thinking.
Sensory Dough Mark-Making 🌿Make some homemade playdough and set out sticks, leaves, and small pebbles for mark-making. Encourage your child to press and roll the items to see the patterns they create. Great for fine motor skills and creativity!
Loose Parts Counting 🌾Set up a small nature tray with different items like acorns, shells, or pebbles. Challenge your child to group them into sets of five or ten, or even use them to make patterns.
Start Building School Readiness Today
Helping your child get ready for school doesn’t have to be stressful! Through simple, play-based activities, you can support their development in a fun and engaging way. Whether you’re at home or attending a Little Sprouts session, fostering a love of learning through nature will set your child up for success.
Ready to give your little one a boost before school starts? Check out our School Readiness Program and join us for hands-on, nature-inspired fun! 🌱
Such a helpful post!!