Early Literacy Skills: Building a Love of Reading and Writing from the Start
Starting school is an exciting adventure and being familiar with books, stories, letters, and sounds can make the transition even smoother. Early literacy skills are the building blocks that help children learn to read and write. But don’t worry, this
Gross Motor Skills: Big Movements for a Strong Start at School
Starting school is a major milestone, and while it’s easy to focus on learning letters and numbers, physical development plays just as important a role in helping children feel ready and confident. Gross motor skills – the big movements that
Building Listening and Attention Skills: A Key to Classroom Confidence
The ability to listen and pay attention is vital for learning, following instructions, building friendships, and staying focused in a busy classroom environment. While some children naturally find it easier to concentrate than others, listening and attention skills can be strengthened
Fine Motor Skills: Helping Little Hands Get Ready for Big Learning
Starting school is a big step, and while learning to read and count is important, being able to use hands and fingers confidently plays a key role too. Fine motor skills – the small movements that involve the hands, wrists,
Understanding School Readiness: What Parents and Educators Need to Know
School readiness is more than ABCs and 123s — it’s about helping children feel confident, capable and curious as they step into the classroom for the first time. This white paper, part of Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide School Readiness Campaign,
Building Independence Through Self Care: Everyday Skills for a Confident Start to School
Starting school is an exciting step for young children, but it also brings big changes. Suddenly, your child is expected to manage routines, care for their own needs, and try new things without you by their side. One of the best
Helping Children Build Emotional Regulation: A Key Step in School Readiness
Starting school is a big and exciting step, but for many children, it can also feel like an emotional rollercoaster. With new people, unfamiliar routines, and unexpected changes, it’s no surprise that some little ones feel overwhelmed. That’s why helping
Building Communication & Language Skills: A Foundation for School Success
Starting school is a big step, and one of the most important areas of development that helps make the transition smoother is communication and language. Being able to understand others, express needs, and join in conversations lays the foundation for
What the Research Says About School Readiness
Starting school is a big milestone – but what does it really mean to be ready? At Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide, we believe school readiness goes far beyond knowing letters and numbers. We conducted a literature review to explore the evidence