POLOKWANE – For children going from Gr R to Gr 1, the new routine might be a big adjustment – something they look forward to, and dread, in almost equal amount.
Review spoke to a teacher, Freda Niemann, about how parents can help their children adjust to the ‘big school’ routine.
“One of the biggest adjustments children will face is the eating habits. They must prepare themselves to not eat as often as they did in Gr R. In Gr 1 they will only eat during break time and only when the school bell rings. Another adjustment will be the longer periods they have to stay in class before a break. In Gr R they might be used to getting short breaks around three to four times a day where they can play outside or enjoy a snack. From Gr 1 they only get one to two breaks throughout the day,” she said.
Another bit of advice she has is to encourage children to eat healthy and drink a lot of water from a young age.
“This way they will take these healthy eating habits through to high school and their adult lives. Another benefit to drinking water compared to juice is that juice has more sugar which tends to make them more hyper which can lead to a possible reprimanding at school or them not being able to concentrate in class. It is important, however, to still give them a sweet treat once a week. Avoid making sweets a regular part of the lunchbox.”
Freda added another routine children need to adjust to is when they will go to the toilet.
“In Gr R most learners are used to going to the bathroom in a row every time after eating or sometimes during class. In Gr 1 children might not be able to go to the bathroom as often which is why they will have to learn some bladder control to keep to the routine.”
In Gr 1, she added, there is also more work than play as the teachers will get them used to the less-play-more-work procedure as the school year progresses.
“When it comes to sleeping patterns, parents should take they’re little ones to bed as early 19:00 or 19:30 as they will no longer have nap times in Gr 1. They have to stay awake and pay attention the whole day which is why they need enough sleep at night to prepared and ‘fresh’ for the next day,” Freda added.
Freda advised to help increase a child’s reading, listening and talking ability, parents should read them bedtime stories whenever they can.
