22 things your child should be able to do before they start school

22 things your child should be able to do before they start school - mirror.co.uk

Nearly every parent feels some anxiety about their child starting school. Will they get picked on? Will they keep up?

Now psychologist Janine Spencer of Brunel University, has compiled 22 key skills, based on government advice, that every parent should teach pre-school offspring. Dr Spencer explains them here:

1: Write their own name

2: Know the alphabet

3: Sing or recite songs

4: Take turns and share

5: Use a computer

6: Be sensitive to others' feelings

7: Dress and feed themselves

8: Join in group activities with other children

9: Make up stories (even if they make no sense)

10: Complete activities on their own

11: Join in general conversation at home

12: Focus their attention on one thing for a prolonged period

13: Count and answer number-based questions

14: Tell the difference between past and future

15: Ask lots of questions

16: Differentiate between groups

17: Do a jigsaw

18: Be active

19: Learn about healthy and unhealthy foods

20: Be imaginative

21: Get messy with paints and crafts

22: Make music