Robertson National School

1
Robertson National School

• Welcome to our
• Open Afternoon

2
The purpose of this visit

• To help you and your child become familiar with
  the
• classroom
• staff
• other children.

• To answer any questions you might have about
• school

• To talk about things you can do with your child
• to prepare for starting school in September

3
Information

• Junior Infant Leaflet

• School Information Booklet

• Uniform List

• Im me and whos like me book

• Policies

4
School Information

• School hours 9.20 a.m. 3.00 p.m.
• Morning break 11.00 a.m. -11.15 a.m.
• Lunchtime 12.30 p.m. 1.00 p.m.
• Supervision is not provided for children before
  9.00 a.m. or after 3.20 p.m.

5
Talking to your child

• Your child may be anxious about what to expect on
  the first
• day at school. If so, one way of helping them is
  to talk
• explain where they'll be going, what they'll be
  doing, and for how long 
• answer questions, and iron out any fears by
  asking what they think the school might be like
• emphasise the things they may enjoy doing
• Don't dismiss your child's fears - things that
  seem obvious or silly to an adult can seem like
• terrible obstacles to a four year old.

6
Building on practical skills

• If children have a good idea of what school is
  going to be like and have already experienced
  learning activities at home and in other
  settings, they're less likely to find the
  experience stressful. 
• Games, role-plays and reading at home can help
  your child get into the right frame of mind and
  boost their confidence.

7
Activities for your child could include

• playing games that involve taking turns or
  speaking in front of a group playing with
  children of a similar age to develop social
  skills
• reading books about starting school
• using your child's favourite toys to role-play
  going to school
• painting and drawing, which involve sitting down
  for short periods of time

8
In the weeks before school starts

• In the run-up to the first day of term you could
• involve your child in choosing things they need
  for school such as school bags or uniforms
• visit the school with your child so they become
  familiar with the building and the local area
• establish a routine and discuss what might be
  happening at school at different times of the
  day 

9
Learning with your child

• You are your child's first teacher, and
  understand them better than anyone else. By
  talking to them, playing with them, and
  introducing simple skills you can help set the
  scene for their future development.

10
Read together

• Everywhere you go with your child you have a
  chance to read together. Whether it's on the bus,
  in shops or at the post office, you can point out
  the words around you and that's the beginning of
  reading. Reading stories with your child, even if
  for just 10 minutes a day, will help to build
  important skills, as well as capture your child's
  interest in books.

11
Learning about numbers and shapes

• Counting things and noticing shapes come
  naturally to children, so you can use your
  child's interest in these activities to help with
  maths. Maths skills can be developed through
  stories, songs, games and imaginative play. Even
  helping in everyday tasks like telling time or
  measuring ingredients for cooking, gives children
  the chance to learn new maths
  skills.

12
Spending quality time together

• Turning off the television or computer and
  spending time with your child creates valuable
  opportunities for learning. Here are a few ideas
  about activities that your child can learn from
• pottering around the garden together teaches
  children about plant life, insects and animals
• simple kitchen tasks, like letting your child
  spread the jam on sandwiches, can give an early
  lesson in cooking and improve motor skills
• playing games together teaches fair play and
  cooperative behaviour
• family and holiday photos can give
  lessons in family history and
  geography

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The first few weeks

• We will find out what the children already know
  can do use this information to help us plan our
  teaching.
• We would value any contributions you would like
  to make in helping us get to know your childs
  needs.
• You will be invited to discuss your childs
  progress adjustment to school within
• the first term.

14
Keep up to date.

• Please feel free to ring or email us if you have
  any questions
• You are always welcome. Call in!
• For the latest news, look on the website
  www.robertson.ie

15
Our curriculum is organised into six main areas
of learning

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  (S.P.H.E.)
• Communication, Language Literacy
• Mathematical Development
• Knowledge Understanding of the World (S.E.S.E.)
• Physical Development
• Creative Development (Arts)

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Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• The children will learn to
• be self-confident
• take an interest in things
• know what their own needs are
• tell the difference between right and wrong
• share and play with others.

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Communication, Language and Literacy

• The children will learn to
• talk confidently and clearly
• enjoy listening to stories, songs and poems
• hear and say sounds, and link them to the
  alphabet
• read and write familiar words
• learn to use a pencil.

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Mathematical Development

• The children will
• develop an understanding of maths through
  stories, songs, games and imaginative play
• become comfortable with numbers and with ideas
  such as 'heavier than' or 'bigger
• be aware of shapes and space.

19
Knowledge and Understanding of the World

• The children will
• explore and find out about the world around them,
  asking questions about it
• build with different materials, know about
  everyday technology and learn what it is used
  for
• find out about past events in their lives and the
  lives of people in their family.

20
Creative Development

• The children will explore
• colours and shapes
• making things
• movement
• making music.

21
Physical Development

• The children will learn to
• move confidently
• control their body
• handle equipment.