Introduction to P1
For Parents: some frequently asked questions answered.
ESSENTIAL
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What will my child
need for school?
A jacket with name inside
A uniform with ALL items named
Gym shoes with their name inside
A named gym bag in which to keep named gym kit (blue/navy shorts and white tshirt)
A named lunch box if having packed lunch (All P1s are entitled to free school
lunches)
Please note: no glass bottles or cans of fizzy drink
OPTIONAL
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A mid-morning snack
A bottle of water for the classroom
A named Pencil case with pencils etc
Packed lunches:
 Please peel and chop fruit if necessary.
 There is no facility to heat food.
 Encourage your child to make healthy choices for their lunch.
 Whilst we do not force children to eat everything they have brought, we make
sure enough is eaten and any food remaining will return home in their lunch box.
How long is the school
day?
The day starts at 9:00am and
finishes at 3:15pm. There is a
break from 10.30 ‘til 10.45am and
lunch is 12:15pm until 1:15pm.
On the first day,
what should I do?
Come to the Main Entrance for 9:00am.
When the bell goes your teacher will come
to the door and meet you to take you to
the cloakroom.
Will there be anyone to help my
child in the playground?
All P1 pupils have a P7 Buddy who they will know
and who will always help them. Our Pupil Support
Assistants, Mrs Main and Mrs Ord, are in the
playground at break time and lunchtime. Mr Gill is
usually outside in the mornings before school as
well. We also have other adults who are there to
help should the need arise.
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What will my child be doing in school?
In Banchory – Devenick Primary School we respect each other. We are all responsible
leaders of our learning. We are kind and helpful, in a polite and mature manner.
Banchory Devenick Mission Statement.
In order to do this, your child will be involved in lots of different activities and will
spend time discovering, experimenting and exploring using a wide range of materials to
motivate and develop their learning.
Learning to share, to co-operate and to become increasingly independent are also
important features of P1.
Talking and Listening
These activities play a very important part during the first few weeks at school.
Research has shown that there is a direct connection between a good speaker and an
able reader. A good reader has a wide vocabulary of spoken words and is able to use
them correctly to express feelings, ask questions and give clear explanations.
The ability to listen to and understand speech is vital for your child’s future learning.
The ability to listen to and follow simple instructions and explanations enhances the
establishment of new routines, enabling your child to feel confident and secure in their
new environment.
Reading
Our main reading resource is Oxford Reading Tree. It is about a family – Mum, Dad and
their three children – Biff (Barbara), Chip (David) and Kipper (Christopher) who live in a
house with their dog, Floppy. The characters are humorous and encourage lots of
discussion – talking is an important skill for learning to read.
Stage 1 and 1 +
Initially, your child will be introduced to the first nine key words in the scheme – Mum,
Dad, Biff, Chip, Kipper, Floppy, and, the, a. They will be given a wordless book to take
home and this is where you can help!
The purpose of these books is to
 Talk about the pictures – what’s happening, who’s in the story, where it’s taking
place, how they are feeling etc
 Relate them to similar personal experiences
 Sequence your child’s ideas about the story, using the pictures to help
An extended story booklet will also be sent home for your use. It provides a framework
for these activities e.g. read the story to your child and ask the questions.
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When your child recognises the key words they will be given a Stage 1+ book to enable
them to practise.
Stage 2 onwards
From Stage 2 to Stage 5, your child will continue to have key words but the books will
contain sentences of increasing length and challenge. Consolidation of key words will
consist of games, listening centre activities and computer tasks that will take place in
the classroom, as well as reading other books containing these key words.
Your child will also bring home books from other series such as Snapdragons, Fireflies or
Big Cats. This is to ensure breadth within your child’s reading experience. There will be
more information about how to use the books when they are sent home.
Phonics
This is a complementary method of teaching reading where children learn the sound a
letter makes and then combines the sounds to make words. Active Literacy and Jolly
Phonics are the schemes used at Banchory-Devenick. It is an enjoyable, active and
multisensory method that enables pupils to begin to build, read and write words from
the first three sounds onwards. You will have fun with the homework games!
Handwriting
Hand control and co-ordination are important skills for writing. Children are encouraged
to draw, paint, play with construction toys and model with plasticine or play dough to
enhance these abilities.
Learning the correct letter routes is most important. If a child is in the habit of
forming letters incorrectly, it can be difficult to change and may inhibit a smooth
transition to using joined script later on.
Storywriting
Children are taught the process of writing their own stories. Their stories will be
scribed initially by the teacher or classroom assistant, then pupils may underwrite (copy)
the words before moving on to writing independently. Free writing is encouraged at the
writing table in the classroom.
The Role Play area is also an important part of pupils’ experiences throughout the
Infant years. It encourages and develops imagination, speech and co-operation,
enhancing social skills as children play together.
Maths
Sorting, matching, counting, exploring patterns, shapes and measurements using active
learning methods will be experienced by your child during the first few weeks at school.
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At Banchory-Devenick there is emphasis placed on oral, interactive maths to develop
agility and confidence in number work. The TJ maths resource is used at BanchoryDevenick School, with emphasis placed on practical experiences to ensure complete
understanding of the various concepts of early maths. Formal writing of numbers will
also be taught, and, as with letters, it is most important that the correct number routes
are learned.
Subjects such as Science and Technology, Health and Wellbeing, Art, Drama, Music and
RME will also be taught as part of Curriculum for Excellence.
Hey diddle, diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed to see
such fun
And the dish ran away with the
spoon.
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his
crown
And Jill came tumbling after.
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Active Learning and Structured Play
These are teaching methods used in the Early Years.
Active Learning is learning which engages and challenges children’s thinking using real
life and imaginary situations. This approach is used throughout Banchory-Devenick
Primary: we believe this is appropriate and is a skill for life - have you ever bought a new
piece of equipment and “played” with it to find out how it works before using it? That’s
what we mean!
Pupils work through real life and imaginary situations to practise skills, to develop
knowledge and understanding across all areas of the curriculum, to think, to make things,
to test out their ideas and to try and solve problems. It is a practical and relevant,
enjoyable and interactive way to learn.
Learning through play (Structured Play) is play that is structured and guided by the
teacher, an activity with learning aims and intentions. For example, playing a game to
reinforce and consolidate key words or number bonds, a Treasure Hunt in Science after
a block of work on minibeasts, a game of matching pictures and words to reinforce new
vocabulary.
Hickory Dickory Dock,
The mouse ran up the
clock,
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down,
Hickory, Dickory Dock.
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How can I help my
child at home?
Children are learning all the time and in the early years most of their learning takes
place at home before they come to school: they learn by example.
Being able to play together, to share toys and space with other children, to take turns
and to listen are important social skills that will enhance a child’s readiness for more
formal learning in school. They learn best when learning is FUN!
Here are some suggestions for you to try at home:
 Talk with your child: say/sing nursery rhymes, simple action songs, talk about
things that interest your child (e.g. animals) about things around you, about things
you see in town. Play word games such as “I Spy”, Point to words in the
environment and talk to your child about what they say e.g. street signs, shops and
road signs, notices in the supermarket and signs around the house such as ‘on’,
‘off’, ‘hot’, ‘cold’, ‘push’. Put magnetic letters on your fridge and make simple words.
Point out familiar words on cereal packets, labels etc.
 Play with your child: not only will your child learn important social skills such as
taking turns, they will also increase their vocabulary. Try sorting games, play snap,
picture dominoes and jigsaws. Drawing, using paint, colouring in with crayons,
making models with play dough and plasticine all encourage hand control.
 Listen to your child: answer their questions. A child’s questions show you how they
are learning to fit together new ideas and skills and so increase their knowledge
of the world around them.
 Encourage your child to listen to and understand what is being said to them. Their
ability to learn effectively relies on being able to understand the spoken word e.g.
to follow instructions. Ask your child to carry out simple tasks such as “Please
bring me the book off the table”, gradually increase length and complexity to build
up to “Please take off your hat and coat and put them on the chair in the kitchen,
then come and sit by me while we read a story”
 Read to your child. Children enjoy listening to stories and sharing a book with an
adult. Point to the words as you read them, it helps them to make the connection
between the written and spoken word. By allowing your child to see you reading
and by sharing books with your child, you are showing them the value of reading,
the entertainment and enjoyment that can be gained and so to build a lifelong
reading habit. Remember, Grandparents and older brothers or sisters can read to
them too!
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Useful Websites
Here are some websites you might like to browse for information and
games:
Banchory-Devenick Primary Website is a useful source of information
and will constantly showcase what your child has been learning. Please
log on and have a look!
http://banchory-devenick.aberdeenshire.sch.uk/
Children’s Learning can also be found at:
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/as/bdev/
Other sites:
www.parentzonescotland.gov.
Learning and Teaching Scotland website for Parents
www.activityvillage.co.uk
A great activity site for Parents to share with young ones.
www.dltk-kids.com/type/printable_bookmarks.htm
Free printable bookmarks to enhance any book. Lots of different themes from dragons
to cats and carton characters to pirates.
www.braw.org.uk
Books, reading and writing - this organization celebrates writers and illustrators living
and working in Scotland.
www.myhomelibrary.org
Website run by children’s author Anne Fine, includes downloadable book plates to stick
on and personalize your own books.
www.readtogether.co.uk
A reading activity website with ideas and recommendations for both young and older
children.
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents/literacy/reading_help.shtml
A website for parents with information and hints on how to help children: also has links
to games, activities and BBC literacy websites.
www.scottishbooktrust.com
This is an independent charity, promoting books, reading and writing to people of all
ages: organizers of Bookstart
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www.bookstart.co.uk : a national programme which encourages all parents and carers to
enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible.
www.booktrusted.co.uk
This site contains book information for children as well as recommending good reads
www.literacytrust.org.uk
This is a wide-ranging organization committed to raising literacy levels throughout the
UK.
www.childliteracy.com
Child Literacy Website: guidance on how children learn to read and suggestions for ways
in which parents and carers can support their child's reading.
ALSO – don’t forget about websites dedicated your favourite author e.g.
www.roald-dahl.org www.jkrowling.com
www.literacymatters.com/parents.html
This site contains information, ideas and resources to help your child develop literacy
skills.
www.funbrain.com/parents
Play to learn: educational games for your child
www.underfives.co.uk
Supporting Early Years Education for Teachers and Parents
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/preschool/
With links to interactive games and stories.
www.funschool.com
An American site with lots of educational games
www.enchantedlearning.com/dictionary.html
An online picture dictionary with quizzes and games.
www.funwithspot.com
As the name suggests, a website with games and activities featuring Spot, the loveable
puppy.
www.activitiesforkids.com
Another American site with lots of activities from bookmarks to baking
www.crayola.com/parents/index.cfm
This website from the makers of Crayola crayons has colouring pages, craft ideas and
games.
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Checklist for Day 1
Essential
 Jacket with NAME inside
 School uniform with NAME on every item
 Indoor shoes with NAME inside each one
 Gym Kit (T-shirt and shorts NAMED)
 Bag with NAME on to keep gym kit tidy
 Lunchbox (NAMED) with packed lunch OR
Optional
 Snack for mid-morning break
 Bottle of water (Named) for classroom
 NAMED Pencil case with pencils, crayons etc.
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