Tools for School is a school readiness program in Sydney designed to support children as they prepare for the transition into formal education. Delivered by experienced Occupational Therapists, the program helps children develop the foundational skills needed for successful classroom participation, including fine motor skills, independence, communication, confidence and social participation.
Through engaging, play-based activities, children practise essential school skills while developing the confidence and abilities needed to participate more independently in everyday learning environments.
Your child will learn:
- following and understanding classroom routines
- listening and following instructions
- attention and group participation
- early literacy and numeracy concepts
- communication and social interaction
- fine motor and pre-writing skills
- emotional regulation and learning readiness
The program runs over 7 themed weeks, with the option to attend the full program or select individual
sessions based on your child’s needs and interests.
Who is this for?
This program is designed for children aged 4–5 years who are preparing to start school.
Program Duration
Each session includes:
- 45 minutes of structured group activities
- 15 minutes for parent handover and an information handout
Session Structure
Transition In
- Drop-off and goodbye routine
- Lining up with peers
Warm Up & Greetings
- Attendance
- Visual schedule
- Regulation warm-up activity
Movement Activity
- Gross motor and group participation activities designed to support regulation, coordination, and
teamwork.
Tabletop & Circle Activities
- 1–2 structured learning and play-based activities targeting school readiness skills.
Transition Out
- Goodbye action song
- Lining up with peers
- Parent handover and progress checklis
Weekly Program Themes
Week 1: Counting & Shapes
Learning Outcomes:
- Develop rote and 1:1 correspondence counting skills and number recognition
- Identify, match, and sort shapes
- Build attention and participation in tabletop learning activities
- Follow multi-step instructions in a small group
- Build social skills in shared play
Week 2: Learning Letters & Sounds
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognise and sequence the letters in their name
- Develop awareness of letter sounds
- Build visual perceptual and cognitive skills
- Develop listening and auditory processing skills
- Build social skills in perspective-taking
Week 3: Arts & Crafts
Learning Outcomes:
- Develop scissor, glue, and tool-use skills
- Follow up to 3-step instructions
- Learn safety rules when using scissors
- Use communication skills to share and borrow materials
- Build fine motor, bilateral coordination, visual-spatial, and sequencing skills
Week 4: Fine Motor & Handwriting
Learning Outcomes:
- Develop listening and waiting skills in group activities
- Improve body and spatial awareness in a small group
- Build fine motor skills for a functional pencil grasp
- Strengthen visual motor and pre-writing skills
Week 5: Nature & Colours
Learning Outcomes:
- Develop vocabulary for weather, nature and colours by exploring the outdoor environment, discussing observations and learning new words to describe what they see, hear and experience.
- Practise outdoor safety and group routines by learning how to follow instructions, recognise potential hazards and participate safely in shared environments.
- Develop visual perceptual and observation skills by encouraging students to explore their surroundings, notice details and interpret information from the environment around them.
- Develop social, spatial and body awareness of self and others, including perspective taking,
thinking about others, and following a group plan
Week 6: Games & Friends
Learning Outcomes
- Learn about social play skills such as games with rules, cooperative play, and competitive play
skills
- Practise turn-taking, flexible thinking and coping with winning and losing by participating in structured games, group activities and shared experiences.
- Develop problem-solving and social interaction skills with peers
- Increase awareness of hygiene with handwashing
- Develop independence in snack routines, such as opening and closing lunch box items
Week 7: Move & Learn About Feelings
Learning Outcomes
- Develop body awareness and gross motor skills
- Identify body language to share their feelings with others
- Explore simple mindfulness and regulation strategies
- Practice staying with the group during movement activities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tools for School program? Tools for School is a school readiness program designed to support children developing the skills needed for a successful transition into school. The program focuses on fine motor skills, independence, communication, confidence and classroom participation.
Who can benefit from a school readiness program? A school readiness program may benefit children who are preparing to start school and would like additional support developing skills such as pencil control, following routines, managing tasks independently, participating in groups and building confidence.
How can Occupational Therapy support school readiness? Occupational Therapists support school readiness by helping children develop the physical, cognitive and emotional skills needed for classroom participation. This may include fine motor skills, sensory regulation, independence, attention and organisation skills.