Primary, Back to school 2023

Let’s start a successful year in primary school

September 1157, 2023

For nursery students, it’s vital to establish a regular sleep pattern. Make sure that they get enough rest, so that they are fully fit for their learning days. As well as sleep, give them time to play and relax, as play is essential for their development.

Build playtime into their daily schedule.

For example, set aside an hour every afternoon for fun and educational activities. This will keep your children entertained while developing their cognitive skills and creativity.

• Puzzles: Puzzles are great for developing hand-eye coordination, concentration and problem-solving skills. Choose age-appropriate puzzles with attractive, colourful pictures.
• Construction games: Construction games, such as wooden blocks or Lego, allow children to explore their creativity, develop their fine motor skills and understand the basic concepts of architecture and balance.
• Artistic activities: Encourage them to express themselves through artistic activities such as painting, drawing and collage. This will encourage their creativity, fine motor skills and ability to express themselves visually.

Parents can organise these fun and educational games at home, by creating a dedicated space where children can explore, create and have fun in complete safety. Make sure you have a variety of games available, adapted to their age and interests. Encourage them to play independently, while being there to support and encourage them in their discoveries.

For primary school students, it’s important to help them organise their homework. Encourage them to draw up a schedule for their homework and set aside time for reading. A typical timetable might include a period of work from 3pm to 4pm, followed by an hour of reading from 4pm to 5pm. Then, plan a bedtime between 8pm and 9pm to ensure a good night’s rest and a proper recovery.

⏰ Sample timetable:

• 3pm-4pm: Work time
  4pm-5pm: Reading
  7pm-8pm: Bedtime

💡 Tip for parents:

• Help them plan their homework and create a daily reading routine.
• Create a calm, well-organised work space at home.

Parents can play an essential role in encouraging their children to read funny and educational books. These types of books stimulate their imagination, develop their sense of humour and reinforce their interest in reading. Reading and discussing stories together can also strengthen the family bond and encourage enriching discussions.

For CP and CE1 pupils:

– Le loup qui voulait changer de couleur” by Orianne Lallemand and Éléonore Thuillier: a fun story that teaches about colours and self-acceptance.

– La sorcière Camomille à l’école” by Mymi Doinet and Mélanie Roubineau: a series of books featuring an endearing witch who gets into mischief at school.

From CE2 to CM2:

– Le journal d’un dégonflé” by Jeff Kinney: a hilarious series recounting the adventures of an unlucky young boy.

– Les enquêtes de la main noire” by Hans Jürgen Press: a series of books featuring a group of child detectives solving captivating mysteries.

🌟 Tip for parents:

– Involve your child in selecting books by giving him the chance to choose what interests him. Encourage them to explore different genres such as humour, adventure or science fiction.

– Organise read-aloud sessions where you can share moments of laughter and exchange around the books chosen.

By helping your primary school children organise their timetable and offering them fun and educational books, you can encourage them to develop a taste for reading and enrich their knowledge. Take advantage of these shared reading moments to feed their curiosity and imagination. Together, you’ll build a solid foundation for their academic and personal development.