How to help your child get ready to start school
1 min read Published 18 Oct 2026
By Holly Keenan, Primary School TeacherOne of the things parents ask me most is what their child needs to know before they start Reception. The answer surprises a lot of people: they don't need to be reading, counting to 20 or reciting the alphabet. School readiness is all about nurturing practical independence, rather than any academic learning.
Hold off on the alphabet
Your child does not need to know the alphabet before starting school. In fact, teaching letter names early can cause confusion and make learning pure phonics sounds harder later on. In phonics, children learn the sound a letter makes ("sss") rather than its name ("ess"), so I'd always say leave that part to us.
What I'd focus on instead
The things that really help a child settle into a busy classroom are the everyday ones:
Recognising their own name, and ideally learning to write it
Putting on their own coat
Using a knife and fork
Carrying a tray
Waiting their turn
Putting on and taking off their school shoes by themselves (Velcro makes this much easier)
Build their resilience
Encourage your child to have a go at daily tasks on their own, even when it's slow or a bit messy. Sticking with something tricky and getting there in the end is exactly what helps them navigate their new classroom.
It might be tempting to do everything for your child because it's quicker, but I promise this won't support them in the long run!
This article is published by ParentBoost. It was written or reviewed for ParentBoost by the contributor below and edited by our team. It is general information for parents, not individual professional advice.
Holly Keenan
Primary School Teacher
Holly is a primary school teacher with experience across Reception, Year 1 and Year 3, and currently teaches Year 3. She holds a BA degree and a PGCE. Having taught children from their very first weeks at school through to the juniors, Holly shares the practical, everyday ways parents can support learning at home without it turning into a battle.
This article is general guidance for parents and carers, not medical, health, legal or other professional advice. Every child is different. If you're worried about your child's health or development, talk to your GP, health visitor or another suitable professional. In an emergency, call 999. For urgent advice, call NHS 111.
