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Most Kids Are Not Yet Year One Ready. These Toys Might Just Change That
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We all want the best for our kids; that includes setting them up for a successful future.
But, according to the government’s School Readiness initiative, only 37% of kids are ready for year one when they finish reception.
While the government has pledged to boost this number to 75% by 2028, there are things you can do to change that at home.
Most importantly, it can be fun. Learning Resources is an educational toy brand that has a ton of play options available to teach your kids the skills they need to start year one all in the comfort of your own home.
Keep reading for our round-up, and expert advice on how to use the summer for skills progression.
What do kids need to be ‘school ready’?
“There are six key skill areas identified as helping a child become school ready,” explains Samantha Hayhurst, head of marketing at Learning Resources.
“These include fine motor skills, self-care and independence, language and communication, social skills, classroom readiness and early maths and literacy.
“While this list may seem daunting to parents there’s an abundance of ways that families can support development across all areas over the summer before school term begins in September and beyond.”
What parents can do to support
Naturally, you don’t want to eat into their fun time over the school holidays, but there are ways to incorporate learning into play time, Hayhurst explains.
“There are lots of ways you can help to develop school readiness via play so children don’t feel pressured and are engaged in learning new skills,” she says.
Learning Resources has worked with educational experts and teachers to create a guide filled with ideas for fun activities and games parents can play with children to build essential skills.
“We also have a YouTube series of Little Lessons,” Hayhurst explains.
“These bitesize lessons include tips on turning routines into play, concentration skills, recognising their name, early empathy and lots more.
“All of the little lessons are aligned with the six key areas of school readiness with an emphasis on play.”
The best sensory and learning toys to get kids ready for school
Another toy to help develop their motor skills, this set uses play sand to help your little one learn how to hold a pencil. Beware, things are going to get messy.
“All about Me is a popular first topic during the first few weeks of a new school term where children learn about their own identity and about their peers so products that can enhance social skills and emotional development are not only beneficial but also wonderful to play with together,” says Hayhurst.
“Our All About Me collection not only helps to give children a better understanding about themselves and the world around them, they are also designed to support colour recognition, pattern spotting and matching.”
This set uses counters to help your kid explain what you family looks like.
Meanwhile, these mirrors are to help encourage self-awareness by teaching them about facial expressions, body language, and emotions. On one side is a regular mirror, and the other has a distorted effect for an extra element of fun.
Likewise, this set supports kids to develop emotional awareness and creates a safe space so they can talk about their feelings.
To teach them easy maths skills like adding and subtraction, this dinosaur kit comes with 115 blocks that can be assembled through challenges and puzzles.
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