Sunbury Primary School Parent Information Handbook

Academic DevelopmentChildren learn by participating in the world around them. By the time they start school theyalready know such a lot about their world and at school we build upon this knowledge. You canhelp your children now by making them more aware of the world around them. Use everyopportunity to talk with them, and extend their use of language. Let the children see howspoken language looks when written, and how written language sounds when spoken.Remember reading is a process of getting meaning from print, and that their world is full ofprint, street signs, shops, packaging labels, television, books, magazines, etc.Read to your children regularly and encourage them to read to you, but keep these times funand enjoyable. Play games with your child as these provide rich learning activities. Gamessuch as I Spy, cards, jigsaws and board games provide valuable learning and social interactionfor your child. Take the time to teach your child to throw, kick or bounce a ball and how toride a bike. These can be wonderful times for both children and parents.How to help your child cope with school ……Learning is a partnership between home and school.You have been the major educator of your child to date and have already taught your childmany things. Be proud of your achievements and please continue to be involved in theeducation of your child.At Sunbury Primary School we believe that children learn by doing, and that they do thingsat their own pace. e.g. one child may be writing and another child may still be scribbling. Wealso believe that positive reinforcement is required to encourage and foster in children adesire to learn.Further information is available at the Department of Education and Early ChildhoodDevelopment’ website: www.education.vic.edu.au22