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Just over two years ago, I wrote my very first blog post while nervously counting down to the launch of At School I'll Grow. I remember feeling a mixture of excitement, anticipation and self-doubt as I prepared to share something I'd poured my heart into with families and educators.
Since then, it has been such a joy to see the book find its way into homes, classrooms and school libraries across Australia. Hearing from parents who tell me their child was excited to start Prep after reading the story, or teachers who use it during orientation and the first weeks of school, has been incredibly rewarding. It reminds me why I wrote it in the first place. As both a teacher and a parent, I know that school readiness isn't about knowing every letter or being able to count to one hundred. It's about helping children feel confident, capable and excited to take on a brand-new adventure. Over the years, I've learnt that some of the most valuable ways we can prepare children are also the simplest:
As teacher of the middle school years now, I have the privilege of seeing children a few years into their school journey. It is always amazing to look back and realise how much they have grown since those first nervous days of Prep. The confidence they develop, the friendships they build and the curiosity they show are wonderful reminders that every learner grows at their own pace. If you're preparing a little one for their first day of school, I hope At School I'll Grow helps spark conversations, ease worries and build excitement about all the adventures ahead. Thank you to every family, school, teacher and librarian who has supported this little book. Watching it become part of so many children's school journeys has been more than I ever imagined, and I'm so grateful to be a small part of helping young learners begin their own story.
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Welcome to my very first blog.
It's almost launch time for my book and I am a jumble of emotions; excited, anxious and exhausted just to name a few. It's almost like beginning school. Luckily, as a teacher I experience these feelings each and every year in January before that first school bell rings! Embarking on any new journey will often bring these feelings to the fore, and beginning school is no exception. A new environment, routine, teacher and peers can be a confronting experience for our little ones. It can also be a time that is extremely exciting and an opportunity for positive growth and beginnings in friendship and discovery. Parents are not excluded from this emotional rollercoaster either as we navigate recalling the names of fellow parents and their offspring, school drop-offs, class timetables (is it sports shirt day today?) and the never-ending school lunches. I feel like many of the same things I will be doing in the coming weeks to prepare for the release of my book; such as organising my modest warehouse area, meeting with local libraries and engaging in self-care are very similar to how I helped my son prepare for beginning school. I'll share them below in the hopes that you will find them helpful too. Spending time organising and labelling school materials, attending orientation days and practising new skills such as tying shoelaces or opening our lunchbox. Arranging a separate meet and greet with the teacher if your child is feeling particularly anxious is a helpful idea, or even a playdate at a familiar location with a friend who will also be in their class. Engaging in calming activities such as yoga or a nature walk, naming feelings as they arise and ensuring everyone has enough sleep can all assist in alleviating anxieties and encourage feelings of confidence and excitement regarding school readiness. Finally, a great way to support young children in preparing for beginning school is to read a lovely story that introduces them to school routines, curriculum and all the wonder, learning and friendships they will discover - I think I know just the book! |
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