Support for Parents

Starting School

As another school year begins, the following titles should help children who have started school this year, overcoming any fears or anxieties they may have.

1.   Ottoline Goes to School by Chris Riddell (9781405050586)

 
2.   Dinosaur starts School by Pamela Duncan Edwards (9781405035101)

3.   Little Pirate Goes to School by Lawrence Schimel (9781584765950)

4.   Gus goes to School by Kate Petty (9781845386382)

5.   Miss Mingo and the First Day of School by Jamie Harper (0763624101)

6.   Dora Goes to School by Leslie Valders (1416910573)

7.   Going to School by Sally Hewitt (1845381742)

8.   Starting School by Janet and Allan Ahlberg (014050737X)

9.   The First Day of School by Toby Forward (0552547158)

10. Going to School by Neil Griffiths (9780748777532)

And not forgetting the parents and guardians, the following titles provide quick easy and commonsense advice on preparing a child for school.

1. Top Tips for Starting School by Dr. Helen Likierman (9780091924133)

2. Ready for School: A Parent’s Guide by Margaret Horan and Geraldine O’Brien (1853909297)

     
3. Do I Have to go to School by Pat Thomas (9780750252874)

  
4. Where's My Peg? - My First Day at School by Jen Green (9780750252836)

Useful Links

Scoilnet is the official education portal of the Department of Education and Science (DES) in Ireland. Launched in 1998, the website is managed on behalf of the DES by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE). Scoilnet’s current interface was launched in March 2003.

Resources referenced from Scoilnet mainly comprise lesson plans, interactive and printable worksheets, notes and multimedia content. These are aimed at students, teachers, school managers and parents. Resources are also curriculum focused and have been selected and reviewed by curriculum specialists and teachers. Further information on Scoilnet content may be found in the FAQ section.

Scoilnet engages parents by presenting the following topics:

• Site of the week – displays an educational site of specific relevance to parents and education.
• In the News – focuses on current events topical to education and parenting.
• Schooling – looks at general issues relating to schooling.
• Special Needs – refers to websites with information on the various areas of special educational needs.
• Focus on – explores an issue in-depth by providing links to information, articles, research and advice.

Advisory Service

Help and support in all aspects of children’s literature, reading and literacy development is provided. We provide help with special book activities and events and supply book lists on many different areas of children's reading.

Supplies include high interest/low reading ability (Hi/Lo) reading material and series such as Gigglers; Barrington Stokes; Leapfrogs and many more.

If you are thinking of setting up a library at your school, there are many useful publications available for reference e.g. books on children’s literature, school libraries and related topics.

Reference Service

Children's literature journals, resource material and publisher's catalogues are available for reference.