ALT Photograph shows a group of school children playing outside. The title above reads, "Is your child starting school? Visit Let's Get Ready for all of the information you need". Below the photograph shows the logos for First 5 Ireland and the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality.

ALT Photograph shows logos for Aistear Siolta Practice Guide, Area Based Childhood Programme, Barnardos Ireland, Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC), Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), Early Childhood Ireland, Safefood, Better Start, National Parent's Council (NPC), National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), Gaeloideachas, and National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The green textbox above reads, "Let's Get Ready with Resources". The green textbox below shows the logos for First 5 and the Government of Ireland.

ALT Illustration shows a group of children and parents outside of a school. The sun is shining. The title above the poster reads, "Let's Get Ready for School". Below the poster is a blue textbox with the logos for First 5 and the Government of Ireland.

ALT The left photograph shows Minister Norma Foley reading a book with a young child. The right photograph shows Minister Jerry Buttimer reading a book with a group of young children. Above the photographs is a purple textbox with a purple textbox that reads, "My Little Library is back this summer for every child starting primary school!". Below the photographs are the logos for Local Government Ireland, Right to Read at your Library, and Libraries Ireland. Underneath the logos show a green textbox with the logos for First 5 and the Government of Ireland.

ALT Poster for "Teaching New Skills". Below the poster shows the logos for First 5 and the Government of Ireland. Text reads, "You are your child’s first and most important teacher. Every day you are helping your child learn new information, skills, and ways of behaving. There are three useful ways you can help children learn everything from basic self-care to more complicated social skills: Instructions, Step-by-Step, and Modelling. No matter which of the three methods you use, these tips will help your child learn new skills: Before you start, make sure that your child is ready to learn the new skill. Consider timing. Is your child alert? Consider the environment. Is your child focused? Give your child the chance to practise the skill. Give encouragement. Avoid giving lots of negative feedback if your child does not get it right."

ALT Text reads, "Instructions: We give our children instructions all the time. When teaching a new skill, here are the steps that help our instructions become learning: Give instructions only when you have your child’s attention. Use your child’s name and encourage your child to look at you while you speak. Get down to your child’s physical level to speak. Remove any background distractions like the TV. Use language that your child understands. Keep your sentences short and simple. Use a clear, calm voice. Use one instruction at a time, for example; ‘take off your coat.’ Then ‘hang up your coat’. Use gestures to emphasise things that you want your child to notice. Gradually phase out your instructions and reminders as your child gets better at remembering how to do the task".

ALT Text reads, "Step-By-Step: Some tasks or activities are complicated or involve a sequence of actions. For these, you can break down the task into smaller steps. The idea of step-by-step teaching is to outline the steps that make up a skill one at a time. When your child has learned the first step, then you teach the next step, then the next, and so on. Example Skill - Putting on their t-shirt. You could break down each of these steps: Face the t-shirt the right way. Pull the t-shirt over the head. Put one arm through. Put the other arm through, then pull the t-shirt down. Only move on to the next skill when they have mastered this one. You can use this sequence for each item of getting dressed. Putting on their underpants, then their trousers, then their t-shirt, then their socks and finally, their shoes. Be specific with encouragement – ‘I see you put one sock on by yourself, try the other one now'.

ALT Poster for "Teaching New Skills". Below the poster shows the logos for First 5 and the Government of Ireland. Text reads, "Modelling: Modelling is usually the most efficient way to teach children a new skill. For example, you’re more likely to show rather than tell your child how to tidy up, throw a ball, set a table or wash their hands. You can also use modelling to show your child skills and behaviour that involve non-verbal communication, like body language and tone of voice. You can show how you turn to face people when you talk to them, or look them in the eyes and smile when you thank them. You can combine steps and modelling, for example, in social skills development. If you are expecting a visitor to your home, practise what will happen when they arrive".