It's the Happy Families podcast.

It's the Happy Families podcast.

It's the podcast for the time poor parent who just wants answers.

It's the podcast for the time poor parent who just wants answers.

Now, school holidays they've arrived in some states, they're just around the corner in other states and for a whole cohort of the Australian population, our three, four or five year old depending on when you're starting school, well, big school is about to happen, brand new experiences, lots of tears on the part of both parents and kids as we moved through our final Christmas before little ones go to school. Now, if you're in that target demographic, today's podcast is just for you, if the kids are about to start school, or if you know someone you need to share this one with them. Zoe Rag is a parent educator, former primary school teacher and a mom of two little ones, a little boy and little girl. And Zoe facilitates a weekly educational playgroup in Brisbane and educates parents around transitioning children to primary school. Oh my goodness, I've done this six times and it still makes my heart go oh, Like, there's just this whole I turned into a big, soppy mess. Anyway, Zoe's on a mission to empower parents by instilling confidence enhancing their knowledge and skill set because parents the child's first and best teacher. So, Zoe, thanks so much for joining me on the podcast. You're looking after a whole lot of kids that around this age, and a big bunch of kids that you've been looking after all year are about to head off to big school. We hear this term school readiness all the time. It's thrown around a lot. What does school readiness mean?

Now, school holidays they've arrived in some states, they're just around the corner in other states and for a whole cohort of the Australian population, our three, four or five year old depending on when you're starting school, well, big school is about to happen, brand new experiences, lots of tears on the part of both parents and kids as we moved through our final Christmas before little ones go to school. Now, if you're in that target demographic, today's podcast is just for you, if the kids are about to start school, or if you know someone you need to share this one with them. Zoe Rag is a parent educator, former primary school teacher and a mom of two little ones, a little boy and little girl. And Zoe facilitates a weekly educational playgroup in Brisbane and educates parents around transitioning children to primary school. Oh my goodness, I've done this six times and it still makes my heart go oh, Like, there's just this whole I turned into a big, soppy mess. Anyway, Zoe's on a mission to empower parents by instilling confidence enhancing their knowledge and skill set because parents the child's first and best teacher. So, Zoe, thanks so much for joining me on the podcast. You're looking after a whole lot of kids that around this age, and a big bunch of kids that you've been looking after all year are about to head off to big school. We hear this term school readiness all the time. It's thrown around a lot. What does school readiness mean?

Hello, justin thank you so much for having me so school readiness. Yes, it is a very common term that we hear a lot. And I think two things about this. I think that we can parents can support their children's transition to be, you know, ready for school. But also what about ready schools, you know, schools being ready for the diverse range of learners that are coming their way too. So I think that parents can really take a lot of action to support and have a smoother transition for their children. And I like to think about school readiness as essentials and advantages, you know, So when I think about essentials, I think about the things that these would be really really helpful for your child to know ahead of starting school to just ease that transition for them. Things like self help skills. Are they confident and independent undressing and dressing themselves because they're going to need that when they go and use the bathrooms because there won't be an educator in the bathrooms with them. And you know, things like focusing for short bursts of time. And also another essential I think is recognizing their name. So say, for instance, you had your child's name written on a little piece of paper in front of them, and you had two other names as well. Could they look at it and go, hey, that's my name. So recognizing their name is really important. I do have a free checklist as well, which has an extensive list of things that parents can download and have a look at. So and when I think about an advantage, let's compare the name. So an essential would be recognizing their name, going hey, that's my name. I know that an advantage could be being able to write their name starting with a capital letter and continuing with lowercase letters. In terms of for parents what they can do to support their child, I think about finding their child's missing skills, So working out what it is that your child may need to work on in the first year of school. It's less about because they're learning to read, they're learning to write, It's less about showing what they know in terms of written form and being able to explain with their spoken word about what they know. So being able to have a strong vocabulary, being able to speak in sentences and really grow their knowledge bank about different topics is really important.

Hello, justin thank you so much for having me so school readiness. Yes, it is a very common term that we hear a lot. And I think two things about this. I think that we can parents can support their children's transition to be, you know, ready for school. But also what about ready schools, you know, schools being ready for the diverse range of learners that are coming their way too. So I think that parents can really take a lot of action to support and have a smoother transition for their children. And I like to think about school readiness as essentials and advantages, you know, So when I think about essentials, I think about the things that these would be really really helpful for your child to know ahead of starting school to just ease that transition for them. Things like self help skills. Are they confident and independent undressing and dressing themselves because they're going to need that when they go and use the bathrooms because there won't be an educator in the bathrooms with them. And you know, things like focusing for short bursts of time. And also another essential I think is recognizing their name. So say, for instance, you had your child's name written on a little piece of paper in front of them, and you had two other names as well. Could they look at it and go, hey, that's my name. So recognizing their name is really important. I do have a free checklist as well, which has an extensive list of things that parents can download and have a look at. So and when I think about an advantage, let's compare the name. So an essential would be recognizing their name, going hey, that's my name. I know that an advantage could be being able to write their name starting with a capital letter and continuing with lowercase letters. In terms of for parents what they can do to support their child, I think about finding their child's missing skills, So working out what it is that your child may need to work on in the first year of school. It's less about because they're learning to read, they're learning to write, It's less about showing what they know in terms of written form and being able to explain with their spoken word about what they know. So being able to have a strong vocabulary, being able to speak in sentences and really grow their knowledge bank about different topics is really important.

So, Zoe, I am listening to this very, very very long list of all the different things that parents need to worry about to make sure the kids are ready for school, and I'm sort of thinking we're making too much of this? Is this too hard? Because my youngest is now ten, she started school a few years ago, and I reckon, if I got a list like that, I'd crack. I'd just say I'm not sending her she's not ready. This feels overwhelming, And yet is this the expectation in schools now? That kids are going to show up and be capable and confident of number one, recognizing their name and nuther two being able to manage a couple of tricky social situations and also being able to I mean a lot of it sounds simple, right, be able to go to the toil and be able to dress and undress on your own, I get it. Much of this should be able to be done, but a lot of it feels like a lot, especially as more and more parents are feeling forced to send their kids to school younger and younger, which is clearly not developmentally appropriate for them. I don't know. I mean, I hear this list and I just feel overwhelmed. I feel burdened. You're talking to parents every day literally who are getting ready to send their kids to school. Are they responding the same way? Are they just saying I think I'm going to wait a year.

So, Zoe, I am listening to this very, very very long list of all the different things that parents need to worry about to make sure the kids are ready for school, and I'm sort of thinking we're making too much of this? Is this too hard? Because my youngest is now ten, she started school a few years ago, and I reckon, if I got a list like that, I'd crack. I'd just say I'm not sending her she's not ready. This feels overwhelming, And yet is this the expectation in schools now? That kids are going to show up and be capable and confident of number one, recognizing their name and nuther two being able to manage a couple of tricky social situations and also being able to I mean a lot of it sounds simple, right, be able to go to the toil and be able to dress and undress on your own, I get it. Much of this should be able to be done, but a lot of it feels like a lot, especially as more and more parents are feeling forced to send their kids to school younger and younger, which is clearly not developmentally appropriate for them. I don't know. I mean, I hear this list and I just feel overwhelmed. I feel burdened. You're talking to parents every day literally who are getting ready to send their kids to school. Are they responding the same way? Are they just saying I think I'm going to wait a year.

I think that a lot of parents are. They definitely know they think, Okay, my child's born in July, I'm going to wait another year until they can go. I do think that you're right. It is overwhelming when you hear a long list in your joint thing. And that's why I think, just break it down and go, what's one thing I can work on.

I think that a lot of parents are. They definitely know they think, Okay, my child's born in July, I'm going to wait another year until they can go. I do think that you're right. It is overwhelming when you hear a long list in your joint thing. And that's why I think, just break it down and go, what's one thing I can work on.

Let me hit you with another question then, because if it is such a big list, did kids a generation ago did they tick all those boxes? Have we up the ante? Have we raised the stakes here? Are we demanding more? Because I know that there's been an educational pushdown in terms of we're expecting more and more of younger and younger kids in terms of sitting still, being quiet, learning stuff in the classroom. When you were talking about a whole lot of academic stuff a few minutes ago, years ago, I remember when one of my kids, I can't remember which one it was now, maybe my third or fourth one going back away here, maybe fifteen years now, But in New South Wales, the expectation was that the kids would submit themselves to a test before they began their first year of school, like in the months leading up to their first year of school. And as my daughter was going through this test with her next year teacher, I said, what, what's the purpose of this test? I mean, there's a whole lot of academic content being covered, and the teacher said, well, it's just so that we can identify where the gaps are so that we know where to pick up the teaching for next year. And I'm like, she's going into her first year of primary school like it's all gaps. Her whole life is a gap. I don't know why while we're doing this. So anyway back to my original question, are kids less competent as they start school today than they were a generation ago or ten twenty years ago.

Let me hit you with another question then, because if it is such a big list, did kids a generation ago did they tick all those boxes? Have we up the ante? Have we raised the stakes here? Are we demanding more? Because I know that there's been an educational pushdown in terms of we're expecting more and more of younger and younger kids in terms of sitting still, being quiet, learning stuff in the classroom. When you were talking about a whole lot of academic stuff a few minutes ago, years ago, I remember when one of my kids, I can't remember which one it was now, maybe my third or fourth one going back away here, maybe fifteen years now, But in New South Wales, the expectation was that the kids would submit themselves to a test before they began their first year of school, like in the months leading up to their first year of school. And as my daughter was going through this test with her next year teacher, I said, what, what's the purpose of this test? I mean, there's a whole lot of academic content being covered, and the teacher said, well, it's just so that we can identify where the gaps are so that we know where to pick up the teaching for next year. And I'm like, she's going into her first year of primary school like it's all gaps. Her whole life is a gap. I don't know why while we're doing this. So anyway back to my original question, are kids less competent as they start school today than they were a generation ago or ten twenty years ago.

I can only think about my own experience of me starting. You know, we didn't have in Queensland prep when I went to school. We started in grade one, and I do feel like it's pushed a year earlier. What was grade one you know in the nineties, Whiz is now prep. So yes, I do think that there is that push earlier. Is it a good thing? I don't think so.

I can only think about my own experience of me starting. You know, we didn't have in Queensland prep when I went to school. We started in grade one, and I do feel like it's pushed a year earlier. What was grade one you know in the nineties, Whiz is now prep. So yes, I do think that there is that push earlier. Is it a good thing? I don't think so.

No, no, no, I just feel like we're putting more pressure on the kids. I'm a really big believer in keeping the kids out of school for as long as you possibly can until it becomes a legal requirement. You stretch it out as far as you can so they can just enjoy their childhood for as long as they can. Of course, there are financial realities and other challenges. I got a couple other questions for you around this, Zoe, and the preparation for starting school for any families just kicking it off next year. What a parents seem to struggle with the most. I mean, I'm obviously as a parent struggling with the enormity of the list and saying just slow it down and let them develop normally and healthy and don't rush this stuff. But outside of stress around development, what else do parents worry about when it comes to supporting their child with that entry to school.

No, no, no, I just feel like we're putting more pressure on the kids. I'm a really big believer in keeping the kids out of school for as long as you possibly can until it becomes a legal requirement. You stretch it out as far as you can so they can just enjoy their childhood for as long as they can. Of course, there are financial realities and other challenges. I got a couple other questions for you around this, Zoe, and the preparation for starting school for any families just kicking it off next year. What a parents seem to struggle with the most. I mean, I'm obviously as a parent struggling with the enormity of the list and saying just slow it down and let them develop normally and healthy and don't rush this stuff. But outside of stress around development, what else do parents worry about when it comes to supporting their child with that entry to school.

Part of the reason I started my business was I saw parents struggle with two main things, the transition to school and how different that was from their pre school in kindergarten, and then also supporting their beginning reader, supporting their child learning to read. I think that there's this myth that learning to read is a natural skill, when in fact it just isn't.

Part of the reason I started my business was I saw parents struggle with two main things, the transition to school and how different that was from their pre school in kindergarten, and then also supporting their beginning reader, supporting their child learning to read. I think that there's this myth that learning to read is a natural skill, when in fact it just isn't.

So, Zoe, let's talk about those two things. First of all, the transition to school. When you say that that's a struggle, do you mean the extra hours where the child's out of the home, The child comes home tired, parents have got to deal with all of the logistics around drop off and pickups and just a shift in the routine or is it something else that you're highlighting here.

So, Zoe, let's talk about those two things. First of all, the transition to school. When you say that that's a struggle, do you mean the extra hours where the child's out of the home, The child comes home tired, parents have got to deal with all of the logistics around drop off and pickups and just a shift in the routine or is it something else that you're highlighting here.

I think it's the shift in the routine. I think it's also the shift for the child in terms of the rhythm of the day at school. You know, it is not only could be longer for their child, but also there's a more academic aspect. There's you know, sitting and there's this expectation that everyone's doing the same thing at the same time. In the same place, whereas at preschool they could be doing a range of five different activities. There's more choice, there's more flexibility, and I think that that's what children find hard and also the exhaustion of the day.

I think it's the shift in the routine. I think it's also the shift for the child in terms of the rhythm of the day at school. You know, it is not only could be longer for their child, but also there's a more academic aspect. There's you know, sitting and there's this expectation that everyone's doing the same thing at the same time. In the same place, whereas at preschool they could be doing a range of five different activities. There's more choice, there's more flexibility, and I think that that's what children find hard and also the exhaustion of the day.

Yeah, that's standardized model. While it obviously has some efficiency benefits, it definitely can make things a little bit harder for kids. You've mentioned reading. This is something that I've emphasized time and time again on the podcast and am I writing and so on. Nothing predicts academic outcomes and ultimately even being able to be successful in life as much as loving reading. What are your top tips for parents who want their kids to be able to step into that first year of school and figure out reading. As you said, it's not a it's not something that we're born with the capacity to do. It really is something that's got to be learned. What have you found is the most helpful here.

Yeah, that's standardized model. While it obviously has some efficiency benefits, it definitely can make things a little bit harder for kids. You've mentioned reading. This is something that I've emphasized time and time again on the podcast and am I writing and so on. Nothing predicts academic outcomes and ultimately even being able to be successful in life as much as loving reading. What are your top tips for parents who want their kids to be able to step into that first year of school and figure out reading. As you said, it's not a it's not something that we're born with the capacity to do. It really is something that's got to be learned. What have you found is the most helpful here.

Yeah, I think that there's this myth that reading is natural, when in fact, research has said that only five percent of children learn to read effortlessly. Most children will need direct instruction and a lot of repetition and learning playful ways to learn how to read and really multisensory ways. I think that laying that strong foundation. So in terms of pre reading skills, pre reading mean before we start reading, expanding their vocabulary, being able to actually hear the sounds they hear in words. That's the fancy word for that is phonological awareness.

Yeah, I think that there's this myth that reading is natural, when in fact, research has said that only five percent of children learn to read effortlessly. Most children will need direct instruction and a lot of repetition and learning playful ways to learn how to read and really multisensory ways. I think that laying that strong foundation. So in terms of pre reading skills, pre reading mean before we start reading, expanding their vocabulary, being able to actually hear the sounds they hear in words. That's the fancy word for that is phonological awareness.

My experience was that the teachers would always hand out various ways that that could be done, Like the school really does support families in doing those sorts of things, don't they. I mean usually.

My experience was that the teachers would always hand out various ways that that could be done, Like the school really does support families in doing those sorts of things, don't they. I mean usually.

I think it's one of the struggles that parents face is because parents, you know, we think, okay, well I'm just going to send my child to God, they're going to learn to read. But in fact, because children need so much repetition, parents do need to support their children with learning to read. I'll get home little readers, little books to read, maybe some little sounds, sounds, alphabet sounds to learn as well, and maybe some even some tricky words to learn as well. And it can be overwhelming for parents. They don't know where to start, they're confused, they don't know how to teach their child how to read. So I think that that can be a struggle for them. I think that short bursts, you know, think a few minutes, five minutes less than that. Think fast, bring the energy, bring the enthusiasm, and just yet start with those phonological awareness activities. I do have some resources.

I think it's one of the struggles that parents face is because parents, you know, we think, okay, well I'm just going to send my child to God, they're going to learn to read. But in fact, because children need so much repetition, parents do need to support their children with learning to read. I'll get home little readers, little books to read, maybe some little sounds, sounds, alphabet sounds to learn as well, and maybe some even some tricky words to learn as well. And it can be overwhelming for parents. They don't know where to start, they're confused, they don't know how to teach their child how to read. So I think that that can be a struggle for them. I think that short bursts, you know, think a few minutes, five minutes less than that. Think fast, bring the energy, bring the enthusiasm, and just yet start with those phonological awareness activities. I do have some resources.

Around that, Zoe, Our time is almost up. This is the podcast for the time poor parent who just wants answers now as we step into holidays and get ready for school kicking off again next year. Well, a lot of parents are saying I don't even want to think about school next year. But for those whose kids are about to start, this is a really big deal. What are your top three tips to make these holidays work and have everything in place and ready to go in twenty twenty five?

Around that, Zoe, Our time is almost up. This is the podcast for the time poor parent who just wants answers now as we step into holidays and get ready for school kicking off again next year. Well, a lot of parents are saying I don't even want to think about school next year. But for those whose kids are about to start, this is a really big deal. What are your top three tips to make these holidays work and have everything in place and ready to go in twenty twenty five?

Top three tips. Make a playdate with another family of somebody that you know that will be in your child's class or your school, you know, sometimes in January, just to get that familiar face so that when they start school they go, I feel like I belong here, I know that person.

Top three tips. Make a playdate with another family of somebody that you know that will be in your child's class or your school, you know, sometimes in January, just to get that familiar face so that when they start school they go, I feel like I belong here, I know that person.

Yeah, great anxiety reductions. Love it.

Yeah, great anxiety reductions. Love it.

Yes, you know, try on their school uniform, you know, get into that mode of maybe I'm going to be wearing something different, what do my shoes feel like? What do my belongings look like? As well?

Yes, you know, try on their school uniform, you know, get into that mode of maybe I'm going to be wearing something different, what do my shoes feel like? What do my belongings look like? As well?

And the kids usually pretty excited about that let's be honest.

And the kids usually pretty excited about that let's be honest.

Yeah, that's right. I mean send three things. They sometimes feel a bit front, bit scratchy, so it's always good to have a try on. And then my last one would just be you know, this is a big change for you and your child. Just go gently enjoy time with each other over the holidays, and just know that the first six weeks it's like the newborn phase all over again. You know, everyone's just got big emotions, new routines settling in, and everyone's getting to know one another. Feature your child, your parent, you as a parent. Just be kind to yourself and just let things settle down, settle in.

Yeah, that's right. I mean send three things. They sometimes feel a bit front, bit scratchy, so it's always good to have a try on. And then my last one would just be you know, this is a big change for you and your child. Just go gently enjoy time with each other over the holidays, and just know that the first six weeks it's like the newborn phase all over again. You know, everyone's just got big emotions, new routines settling in, and everyone's getting to know one another. Feature your child, your parent, you as a parent. Just be kind to yourself and just let things settle down, settle in.

Zoe really appreciate the conversation. If people want to find out more about the services that you offer and the way that what you've shared can support them, You've mentioned that there's some stuff online that can be useful. Where should they go? What should they do?

Zoe really appreciate the conversation. If people want to find out more about the services that you offer and the way that what you've shared can support them, You've mentioned that there's some stuff online that can be useful. Where should they go? What should they do?

Yes? Follow me on Instagram. I'm at at edzir kate E d z O C A T E. And I also have a website www. Dot zokate dot com dot au.

Yes? Follow me on Instagram. I'm at at edzir kate E d z O C A T E. And I also have a website www. Dot zokate dot com dot au.

We'll look to those in the show notes as well. Zoe really appreciate your time time. Thank you for sharing some insights for nervous parents who are gearing up for the last Christmas holidays before the kiddos go to school. It's so exciting, so anxiety introducing, it's all of the things. The Happy Families podcast is produced by Justin Ruland from Bridge Media. If you'd like more info about what Zoe spoke about, like I said, check the show notes. We will link to educate and Zoe's resources there. And if you'd like to know more about making your family happier, you'll find the details at happy families dot com dot au.

We'll look to those in the show notes as well. Zoe really appreciate your time time. Thank you for sharing some insights for nervous parents who are gearing up for the last Christmas holidays before the kiddos go to school. It's so exciting, so anxiety introducing, it's all of the things. The Happy Families podcast is produced by Justin Ruland from Bridge Media. If you'd like more info about what Zoe spoke about, like I said, check the show notes. We will link to educate and Zoe's resources there. And if you'd like to know more about making your family happier, you'll find the details at happy families dot com dot au.