Worried about your child starting their first year of school in September? Don't panic...help is at hand from Northampton teacher

A primary school teacher in Northampton has written a handy guide for parents of children starting school for the first time next month.

Ashleigh Freeman, an Early Years professional, has taught in Reception at Kingsley Primary School for the past three years.

Miss Freeman says most parents will be completely surprised by their child’s reaction to their first day of school.

"Your child is just like you and feeling a range of mixed emotions, but as soon as they step foot in their new classroom, they will more than likely forget all about their nerves and be off exploring before you’ve even left," she said.

Miss Freeman has given some top tips to give a great start to your child ahead of going to primary school.

Help your child to practise at home, so they are confident to:

* wash & dry their hands with soap

* wipe their own nose

* go to the toilet independently

* get dressed by themselves (shoes & coats are very important)

* use a spoon, fork and knife

* open their lunch box & food wrappers (crisp packets are especially tricky)

* take turns – play games like snakes and ladders

* ask for help when they need it

* talk about their feelings

* sing counting songs & rhymes

* count to 10 - as you walk up the stairs or as you clap

* recognise numbers to 10 - you could look at house numbers while you go for a walk

* recognise their name – show them their name written down and see if they can pick it out from a list

* try to write their name

Children need strong, dexterous fingers to be able to write, help them to develop their fine motor skills by spending time:

* threading pasta onto string

* creating cakes/monsters/letters with playdough

* building with Lego

* pushing pipe cleaners through a colander

* dressing their dolls

* snipping paper with scissors

Miss Freeman added: "Enjoy these last few weeks with your little one at home, learning can happen in lots of different ways; baking, reading, gardening, dancing, whatever you like to do – are all just as important as the learning that takes place in school!

"Just remember, it is normal to feel nervous about September, you won’t be the only parent who feels this way, but I can assure you, all our teachers want the absolute best for the children starting their journey into full time education," she said.