watching little learners grow

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:

• Talk positively about school and what they can look forward to.
• Encourage independence with everyday tasks like packing their bag, opening lunch containers and managing their belongings.
• Read books together that introduce school routines and help answer the many questions young children have.
• Make time to play. Through play, children develop confidence, resilience, communication and problem-solving skills that will support them in the classroom.
• Remember that every child is different. Some race through the school gates on day one, while others need a little more reassurance. Both are perfectly okay.

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.
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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.