– There are many parents who are concerned that their children should know letters, numbers and a little reading before they start first grade. Mari Sølvberg has been a teacher for well over 20 years, and has welcomed many excited first-graders over the years. She believes that the children do not need to know so many subjects before they start school. – We think that they don’t have to worry so much about these things. Because we will take care of that, she says. Having to help the students with practical things There are, however, other things she believes the children should practice this summer – being more independent. Because it is not just reading, writing and arithmetic that Sølvberg teaches the first-graders. Among other things, she helps them go to the toilet, get dressed and open both lunch boxes and school bags. – It’s very nice if they practice such things. It will make their everyday life much easier, says Sølvberg. She says that there can often be two adults out of 50 children when they go out for recess, and that it therefore becomes demanding when many people need help putting on their shoes. – If they need a lot of help with these things, it can take a lot of time out of their free time, she says. Eira, Falk, Harald and Ingrid say that they could dress themselves already in kindergarten. Photo: Mari Aandahl Kippernes / news – You have to go to school Harald (6), Eira (7), Falk (6) and Ingrid (7) have all finished first class at Sellanrå. They have gained a lot of experience, and have several good tips for those who will start in the autumn. – You have to go to the bathroom, says Falk and laughs. – Yes, that and learning to wipe your bum, adds Harald. – Yes, you actually have to learn that, says Eira. At school you don’t get help to dry your bottom, say the first-graders from Sellanrå school in Molde. Looking forward to the start of school In the autumn, it is Aksel’s (5) turn to start at Sellanrå school. He feels very ready, but is excited about how the new everyday life will be. – It will be really strange and very different, says the 5-year-old, and explains that they don’t have “quelling” at school. – But I don’t like “quenching” anyway, he adds. Aksel is looking forward to having more time with his brother, who already goes to school, and his mother, who works there. Experiences that the child can get away more Mari Lise Andersen Sunde, who is Ingrid’s mother, says that she has not stressed about teaching her children to read and write before starting school. – We had heard from others that the best thing was that they didn’t know much, because you go to school to learn, she says. Eira and Ingrid say that the most important thing is to be kind to each other at school. Photo: Mari Aandahl Kippernes / news – Did you practice practical things? – No, we didn’t really do that either. In my experience, your child can do a lot more when they are not at home, she laughs, and continues: – At home, they can lie on the floor and shout that they want to be dressed both on and off, but then it goes very well when the parents don’t is present. – Can always be done better Marius Chramer, head of the Parents’ Committee for the primary school (FUG), feels that a lot of good work is being done to prepare the children for the transition from kindergarten to school. – But it can always be done better, also when it comes to the practical things. That we are not only concerned with the learning objectives, because they may come later. The children say that the new first-graders can look forward to starting at Sellanrå school. Photo: Mari Aandahl Kippernes / news At Sellanrå school, teacher Mari Sølvberg is clear that all children are different and that everyone has their strengths and challenges. – And that’s how it should be, she says. But she believes the children can learn a lot from being involved in the practical everyday tasks at home. – It takes longer, but over time the parents will find that the children become good at practical things, and more independent. Children also like to be given responsibility, she says.
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I think the children must be able to dry themselves before school starts
