A smooth transition into school isn't just about how well a child can write their own name. Experts say there are simpler tasks that will indicate how ready a child is for their first day.
Deputy principal and head of Brisbane's Clayfield College primary school Audrey Fellowes says parents should consider two perspectives — how they can prepare their child for school and what children want to know when starting school.
She said the transition to school would be smoother if a child could toilet on their own, recognise their belongings, open the containers in their lunch box, follow two-step directions and sit for longer periods of time with their legs crossed.
She said parents could improve that independence by making healthy breakfasts and lunches, talking about friendships and reading stories about school.
The most important skills however are social and emotional, Ms Fellowes said.
"It isn't about writing their name, they don't need to know the alphabet or colours, it's the social skills that they need to develop in those pre-prep years," she said.
"Absolute independence, that's what we're looking for and that's when we know they're prep ready.
"There's this increased pressure that we put on our little ones that they have to write their name, it's challenging.
"It's an increased expectation from parents, it certainly isn't from the school.
"The best outcomes for children at school is over in Europe, in Finland, and they don't start school until they're six years old, and they only come from play backgrounds and nothing else.
"The most important readiness tool is not their academics, it's their social emotional readiness."
How to develop social and emotional readiness?
Ms Fellowes said talking about prep, reading books and seeing the new environment at the school would help.
Encouraging independence at home would also benefit children such as taking their plates to the sink and tidying up their toys in their room.
She said sharing skills also went a long way, as well as socialisation through kindy or play dates.
"Those are the things that are real markers for prep readiness," she said.
"I think that would be the worst thing, if they've always been with the parent or caregiver and they're dropped off, and they've never been used to that, it can be very, very difficult," she said.
Queensland Teachers Union president Cresta Richardson said manners and looking at the teacher and teacher's aide were good skills for a child to bring to class.
But she agreed that being able to cope socially and emotionally should be the first building block.
"That feeling of being safe and secure is the base of everything," she said.
"Children will start prep at all types of levels, and you don't have to know how to write your name.
"That's one of the great things about schools, is that teachers are experts in teaching, and they take kids from where they are and they move them on to the next stage."
"School is a long road, they're not going to achieve everything by Easter. It's a 13-year journey."
If there is an issue brewing, Ms Richardson said talk to the teacher early so it doesn't get to the point where a child is upset or anxious.
She encouraged parents to send emails at appropriate times and be patient for a response.
The most critical take-home from Ms Richardson was for parents to read with their children.
"If you can make that a fun family time where you might read a couple of pages and as they're starting to get the words, they might read the word," she said.
"It's that shared opportunity, I know families are busy, but those can be such wonderful family times.
"One of the biggest gifts that we can do with our kids is spend time with them."
