Preparing for primary school.

conradmum

I did a chart with the days of the weeks and items in different food groups on it, for ds3 to choose his packed lunch. Each food group was a different colour, and I'd ask him to choose one thing from each group to put in his packed lunch. The groups were carbs (brown - bread, pasta, pitta bread etc), fruit, vegetable, protein and dairy. The set of groups were listed under each day.

The idea was that he would a) learn about healthy eating, b) eat healthily!, c) recognise some words, and d) feel a sense of control over what he was eating. I've got it on a server but the link isn't working and hubby's abroad at the moment. I can probably send it via pm? Not sure.

Lakeland used to do a great lunch box called a lunch cube, but I can't find it anymore. I'm thinking of getting ds3 one of these, though, to put noodles, baked beans or other warm stuff in.

Sarahsaver

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

Is he getting all the help he's entitled to, Sarah?

Not YET! He will do though I am getting very adept at putting my size 8's down firmly.
i have so many professionals on side the school is now making itself look silly if they don't help him more:D

baileysbattlebus

Our GS lives with us, he is going into year 3 in September.

But I remember his reception time well. He was the youngest in the school (has just had his 7th birthday now). Was born prematurely (the same as our own children, must be genetic !!)

All of his clothes and plimsols have his name in large letters in permanent marker. He brought home a reading folder every day and we went through the letters and sounds (Jolly Phonics) every afternoon. Then he started bringing books home, initially with one word on a page along with a reading diary which we signed every day along with comments on how he did. If he was alright, if he struggled etc.

He got a snack every day when he came in - he was starving (still is) at the end of the school day. He was absolutely shattered every day. And was ready for bed at 6.30 to 7.00.

He didn't start to get homework until year 2, then it was mainly things that hadn't been finished in class, apart from spelling, which he got every week.

He loved school and still does - all I would say is don't make a big deal out of it, they are only 4 and they all progress at their own rate, for me school in the early years should be time of learning and enjoyment - they should love going.

He had a lunch box - he was aeroplane mad at the time, so the lunch box was covered in aeroplane stickers that he chose. He was never a Disney or character type child.

He got fruit supplied every morning in school.

In his school they are only allowed healthy snacks - no sweets or biscuits in the lunch box and only water to drink.

No sweets etc on birthdays because there are so many allergies.

Keeping the white polo shirts clean is a nightmare - but they are so cheap they are replaced regularly.

They do learn about healthy eating in school - at GS school it is in year 2.

He still comes home occasionally with his shorts on back to front or his polo shirt inside out.

Glad

W H Smith had plain blue lunchbags in coolbag material half price at £2.99 & Tesco had some coolbag types with robots on (their own make not a character) for £2 with matching drink bottles for £1.29

elljay20

Sarahsaver wrote: »

Ask 'what's the BEST thing you have done today' and you are more likely to get a response.
White shirts/anything stainy - white vinegar in the wash! And pre treat with bicarb and vinegar before putting in. For the real young ones just accept that they WILL get PVA glue, play dough, paint, chalk, snot and whatever else on their clothes. poly cotton washes easier than pure cotton, and polo shirts are only 99p in poundstretchers.

that's a bloody brilliant suggestion!!!!!!!!!! i usually ask dd about her day and she's so vague!!

Sarahsaver

Saw a lot of lunchboxes/bags in Dunelm cheap;)

IMHO almost no child drinks enough water at school, I hope your schools have a water policy like ours, kids are encouraged to have a water bottle on the desk.

baileysbattlebus

Sarahsaver wrote: »

Saw a lot of lunchboxes/bags in Dunelm cheap;)

IMHO almost no child drinks enough water at school, I hope your schools have a water policy like ours, kids are encouraged to have a water bottle on the desk.

GS's school has the same policy. They all take a water bottle into class with them

pavlovs_dog

with regards to all these tatty white polo shirts... if they're passed the 'can by rescued with napisan/dy-glo etc' stage and you dont fancy bleaching them, could you dye them a darker colour? that way the kids can still get wear out of them, even if its only for playing out (and then you can save their other clothes for 'best').

yorkshirecath

Without stealing Ginghams thread can i ask....
I just want a lunchbox that will actually fit in his small schoolbag but that isn't too plain. Almost like the clear tupperware ones but with maybe a picture on so it doesn't look 'too' plain. All the decent lunchboxes are these HUGE things that have to be carried separately and what with a rucksack, lunchbox and PE bag, plus reading bag it seems a lot to carry??!?!??!??!

moo2moo

Use coloured permanent markers and let them design their own lunch boxes. That way you can use whatever sized plastic box you like.