Deiros Collado says school readiness is not about “numbers and letters”.
“It’s about much more basic things, like feeling comfortable and safe to be in a classroom with other children,” she says.
Building independence can also help bridge the gap between home and school life, she says, by encouraging your child to do some things by themselves, such as zipping up their own coat.
“It’s just building that sense of, I’m ready to do this without you,” she says.
But Deiros Collado also stresses that your child should be able to ask for help when they need it.
“One of the best skills you can give your little ones is being able to say to an adult, ‘Help me,’ because you want your kid to be able to say that to a teacher.”
She also suggests a “goodbye ritual” with your child to practise separation, such as blowing a kiss.
