Episode Summary:

In this episode, Lizzy Dawson, and Emily Mackie, dive into the topic of school readiness. With their combined 30 years of experience working with children, they share insights, strategies, and research-based tips to prepare kids for the transition to formal schooling. Whether you're a parent, clinician, or educator, this episode is packed with valuable information to ensure children are socially, emotionally, and practically ready to thrive in school.

Key Takeaways:

1. School Readiness vs. School Preparation:

• School Readiness: Focuses on emotional and social skills, such as resilience, self-regulation, and independence.


• School Preparation: Includes academic skills like writing their name, counting, and recognizing letters and sounds.

Importance of Social and Emotional Skills:

• Key skills for success include managing emotions, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and communication.


• Social connections and emotional regulation create a foundation for academic learning.

Practical Skills to Develop:

• Independence in self-care (toileting, dressing, managing personal belongings).


• Fine motor skills (cutting with scissors, using a glue stick, and drawing).


• Gross motor skills (core strength and postural stability).

Pre-Literacy Skills:

• Recognizing sounds, syllables, and basic concepts like "top" and "bottom."


• Developing the ability to follow multi-step instructions and understand temporal concepts like "before" and "after."

Health and Medical Checks:

• Ensure children have up-to-date vision and hearing tests. Early intervention can prevent future learning barriers.

Individualized Decisions:

• Consider each child's unique development and personality when deciding on school readiness.

Practical Tips for Parents and Clinicians:

• Incorporate play-based learning to build confidence and resilience.


• Encourage independence with tasks like opening lunchboxes or dressing.


• Focus on cognitive exercises to develop executive function and attention.

Resources Mentioned:

• Lizzy and Emily's research-based courses for child development and pre-literacy.


• Preschool Language Acquisition (PLA) course for speech and language milestones.

Connect with Us:

Lizzy Dawson

Website: www.lizzydawson.com.au

Instagram:www.instagram.com/lizzydawson_

Emily Mackie

Website: www.emilymackie.com.au

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/emilymackie.speechie

Check out our courses and websites:

www.lizzydawson.com.au

www.emilymackie.com.au

Follow us on Instagram:

• @movetalkthrive - www.instagram.com/movetalkthrive


• @lizzydawson_ - www.instagram.com/lizzydawson_


• @emilymackie.speechie - https://www.instragram.com/emilymackie.speechie/

Youtube

www.youtube.com/@Move.Talk.Thrive