Is your child really ready for school?
A school bag and matching pencil case are typical fifth birthday gifts, but should playtime really be over so soon? Miriam …
School days
A child's fifth birthday marks a huge milestone. For most of us it's when we take our first tentative steps into what will be years of formal education.
We've compiled a few tips that should make the transition to school as easy as
A-B-C
- Get your little one off on the right track by playing bingo with some simple basic words, and maths equations. Simply print off the downloadable PDF sheets, attach to cardboard, cut out and get playing!
- While you're in the crafty mood, use our tips to make a chart to help make the morning rush a little less chaotic.
- We have the OHbaby! team's top five books for children about to start school.
- A new entrant teacher with over 15 years experience gives us her list of things she wishes parents knew when their kids start school.
- Plus, advice on packing healthy lunches that actually get eaten!
Lunchboxes with Love Notes
Let your son or daughter know that you're thinking of them during the day by dropping in a little love note in their lunchbox. We've created some here you can download and print out for free. And before you say it - yes, we realise many new …
10 starting school tips from a mum
Former OHbaby! editor Ellie Gwilliam has sent all her three girls off to school, so we reckon she's something of an expert! Here she shares ten helpful things she did in preparation for Day One. (Well, some she did, and some she wished she'd done …
Fast food for back-to-school
Does the thought of filling your child's school or kindy lunchbox give you a headache? If you're a busy parent it can be a challenge to find the time to create healthy, interesting lunches that your child will actually eat. Here are some helpful …
Healthy lunchbox ideas!
You may find a great snack or sandwich idea only to discover that it comes home soggier than your dish cloth. "I wouldn't have eaten that either!" you say. So, here are some tips and tricks to help your kids eat a healthy, wholesome lunch while …
Think inside the toy box: boosting your child's learning potential
A digger that flies and shoots slime, a house with a waterslide in it, a dinosaur farm: when it comes to creating stuff, kids are expert 'outside the box' thinkers. Mum of five children and head of Child Forum, Dr Sarah Alexander, shares her tips on …
Back to school safety tips
Thousands of students are marching back to school next month. Safekids Aotearoa has valuable safety tips to keep children safe. For children They’re safer in a booster seat till they’re 148cm tall. Primary school children seated in booster seats …
Ten of the best back-to-school apps for your ipad
Get the best start to the school year with apps that can take you to the stars, inside the human body and all across the world! The Apps store has thousands of apps to teach your kids anything from astronomy, science, geography, languages and more. …
What to ask your child about school
Eight hours away from each other can be lonely (and not just for mum), but you need to control your enthusiasm at school pickup and try not to inundate your child with questions about their day the minute you see them. Remember a day at school is a …
Tips for school bag shopping
Here are our tips for schoolbag shopping: Don't make it too big. New entrants are little tots and carrying around a bag that's nearly the same size as them may look cute for a start, but will get very tiring for them. If a bag is too heavy or too …
Starting School 101
When your child's fifth birthday is looming, you'll be the one who needs to school up and educate yourself on the New Zealand education system. Most children start school shortly after they turn five, and all children must be enrolled by their sixth …
Off to school
Making the transition from daycare, preschool, or the home environment to school doesn't need to be stressful, explains deputy principal Deborah Barclay. The transition from preschool to primary school are some of the most significant steps your …
A lesson for parents
The first day of school is a big day for everyone, and can cover a whole gamut of emotion. It's scary, exciting, and nerve-wracking. And that's just for mum and dad! While it may be hard to say goodbye to your little one and hand them over …
Downloadable flashcards
Help your child get ready for the transition to school with this downloadable PDF game of High Frequency Word Bingo. Click here to download a game of bingo with High Frequency Words. Simply print, attach to cardboard …
Books for starting school
Here are our top five picks for books to read to children to help prepare them for their school days. Going to School, Usborne First Experience This book is part of a series that introduces young children to new experiences. It's a great …
