Newmains Family Learning Centre

May 21, 2020
by User deactivated
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A message from Saint Brigid’s Primary

A little message from Saint Brigid’s Primary School:

” To our new P1 starts. We are so excited about you joining us & we wanted to tell you that we are thinking about you. We hope you are enjoying your Goldilocks activities. Each week we will post some more information. Tour of the school next week!”

May 21, 2020
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Mental Health Awareness Week

To highlight Mental Health Awareness Week, here are some links or helpful agencies if you or someone you know needs support. We are always here for support too!

@HouseChriss

@SAMHtweets

Home

https://nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/?wpdmdl=11894&ind=1589446292210…

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May 21, 2020
by Charlene Barclay
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Tips for preparing your child for school.

We know that getting your child prepared for school may be a worry some of you during this pandemic.  We have compiled some suggestions to support you with this at home.

  1. Encourage games that build fine motor skills: these skills are important for performing everyday skills like doing up buttons, opening lunch boxes and using pencils and scissors. A fun way to build these skills is by playing with play-dough and finger painting.
  2. Choose activities that build gross motor skills: these skills enable your child to get ready for running, skipping and navigating the playground (e.g. climbing). Great games that build these skills are Hop Scotch and Simon Says. You can also practise catching large balls or balloons and gradually move to smaller sizes.
  3. Look out for situations that teach resilience: talk to your child about dealing with disappointment and frustration. Avoid the temptation to run to their rescue every time they struggle to put on their shoes or feed themselves.  Encourage their independence.
  4. Focus on modelling and encouraging confidence: encourage your child to step outside of their comfort zone and be sure to exhibit the same behaviour. This could mean, taking on more difficult puzzles or trying new foods.
  5. Teach them that it’s OK to make mistakes: teach your child that making mistakes is a natural part of life. Praise them for making an effort.
  6. Teach them how to describe what they are feeling: encourage your child to communicate their needs and talk about feelings.
  7. Encourage calm and considered problem solving: encourage your child to solve their own problems and discuss potential solutions together.
  8. Create situations which encourage sharing: if you have multiple children, assign projects where they can work together by sharing material (e.g. arts and craft). Teach your child to share their toys with other children and to take turns.
  9. Create opportunities to play games where there’s a winner and loser: choose age-appropriate board games, or play games like Simon Says. Even though there will only be one winner, emphasise the fact that everyone is having fun, spending time together, and trying their best.

Getting ready for school means teaching your child resilience, confidence, and the ability to share and play fair with others.

  1. Take opportunities to explore conflict resolution: read stories that show how characters overcoming social conflicts. Talk together about these stories and try to relate them to real-life situations. You can also role-play situations that demonstrate conflict resolution or use hand puppets.
  2. Start getting them into a routine :starting a daily routine is an important part of getting ready for school. Set a routine by waking up at the same time each morning and having regular reading time in the evenings.
  3. Encourage listening and following instructions: help your child follow two-part instructions, such as “Put the spoons and forks on the table”, and gradually move up to three-part instructions such as “Put your clothes, socks and toys away”.
  4. Encourage independence:the overarching skill required for getting ready for school is independence. Always look out for opportunities to let your child explore and play on their own (under safe supervision).

 

May 7, 2020
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Primary school transition information

At this time of year we would normally be in the midst of our transition events which develop confidence in our children so they feel prepared for their move to school. As we cannot carry these out, we wanted to ensure that there were still some form opportunities available to our families and children.

As the schools will have limited knowledge of your child prior to them starting within class, your child’s nursery Key Worker has created a short report to pass on to their school, giving a brief outline of their development.

We have been in contact with all of the primary schools our children will be attending to ask if we can support them in distributing transition information. Some have plans in place, some are still trying to develop these as each school faces different challenges regarding access to their school or technologies.

 

Newmains Primary Schools Principle Teacher, Mrs Lilly, has advised us of their current plans to support children’s transition. They suggest that, where possible, parents and carers can access the school blog or twitter page for information and updates.

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/nl/newmains/

www.twitter.com/newmainsprimary?lang=en

They have now managed to gain access to the school so they have made up packs with transition materials they would normally carry out with the children. These will be posted out to families in the next few days to complete at home. This generally consists of “Getting To Know You” worksheets, letter and number formation guidance etc.

 

Morningside Primary Schools Principle Teacher, Mrs White, has advised us of the schools plans to support transition. She has constructed a page on their blog which contains all of the worksheets and information they would normally share with you and your child during transition visits. They have a twitter page which you can sign up to so you can have access to any school information which may be relevant now and when your child starts Primary One. The links for both of these is below:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/nl/MorningsideBlog/primary-1-transition-2020/

https://twitter.com/morningsideps?lang=en

The school plans to make a video of the environment to add to their blog. This, however, will be dependent on when they can have access to the school. The staff all have photographs on the ‘Meet the Team’ section so the children can become familiar with faces they will see at school.

 

Our other feeder schools are at different stages of developing their plans. Most consist of providing links through their blogs of twitter accounts. Some are intending using the app Seesaw. A list of relevant links for them is below:

 

St Brigid’s are not yet able to get access to their building. They also intend on making up welcome packs for the children and will let us know when they are able to do this. You can ask to join their twitter page through the following link.

https://twitter.com/stbrigid1?lang=en

 

Cambusnethan have been experiencing technical issues but are creating a blog as well as aiming to provide printed out packs containing all the relevant information.

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/nl/cambusnethanprimaryschool/

https://twitter.com/cambusnethanps?lang=en

 

Netherton are creating a booklet they intend distributing to parents. They are also putting together a power point containing pictures of the school so the environment becomes familiar to children prior to them accessing the building in person.

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/nl/netherton/

https://twitter.com/NethertonPS

 

St Aidan’s are keeping in touch with their current pupils and providing home schooling opportunites through the Seesaw app. Once parents sign up for this they will be able to access all the relevant transition information.

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/nl/staidansps/

https://twitter.com/St_Aidans_PS

 

Orchard are also developing their use of the school blog and twitter which will be updated shortly.

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/nl/orchard/

https://twitter.com/PrimaryOrchard

 

There is uncertainty surrounding our return to schools and nurseries just now but we would like all of our families to be assured that all school and nursery staff have your children’s best interests at the core of everything we do. If you have any specific concerns or if there is any support you feel would be beneficial then please let us know.

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