If your child/ren have started school, prep or kindy for the first time this year, chances are you’re going to find yourself helping out in the classroom at some stage.
Every school or kindy has their own policy on how that happens and they will explain this to you. However, when I was an early childhood teacher one of the most common questions asked by parents who were helping in the classroom for the first time was, “Silly question, but what should I wear?”
What to wear when you’re a parent helper
This is not a silly question. It makes perfect sense to be unsure about what to wear when you’re a parent helper, especially if you haven’t been to school since you were at school! Here are my suggestions.
1. Comfortable shoes
When helping out in your child’s classroom, you could be doing anything from listening to children read to supervising an activity outside.
Either way, you’ll be on the go and comfortable shoes are a must.
Closed in shoes are the best option – think sneakers, ballet flats etc. They’ll keep you feet safe from items that will randomly fall from little hands throughout the day – we’re talking anything from a pair of scissors to a piece of fruit – and they’ll meet WPHS regulations, which will get you bonus points from the staff.*
*not really. They will be too busy to notice your shoes, but your feet will be comfortable and safe which is the main thing.
2. Comfortable clothes
You’ll probably spend a fair bit of time sitting a lot lower than you usually do. Those kindy chairs are really low to the ground and the mat area requires a whole other level of yoga work to sit on it when you’re an adult!
Comfortable clothes that allow you to move with ease are the best option.
In Summer I’d recommend knee-length shorts and a t-shirt. In Winter, I’d go for jeans or jeggings with a long-sleeved tee and cardigan/jacket.
Don’t wear anything that’s brand new as it’s likely to come home with anything from splashes of paint to dollops of goop on it.
3. A hat
There will be a No Hat, No Play policy in place for the children, so make sure you’ve packed yours. Not only will you be role modelling good outdoor play practices to the children, you’ll also be protecting yourself against the sun’s damaging rays.
4. Sunscreen
Slather yourself in sunscreen before you leave home and if you’re helping all day, reapply at morning tea or lunchtime.
5. Other items to bring
A large water bottle – you will get very thirsty!
Your morning tea/lunch – the school will let you know of any food allergies in the group. Make sure any food you pack for yourself is also allergy friendly.
Panadol – just in case. But make sure the bag you bring for the day is stored out of the children’s reach. Nobody wants to be known as the parent helper who accidentally supplied the class with a box of tablets to play with!
Tee: Betty Basics Manhattan Stretch from Birdsnest $27.95 Available in black, navy, silver, white, navy white stripe. Find them here.
Hat: Kooringal Arlo Fedora from Birdsnest $24.95 Find it here.
Earrings: Du Jour Flat Stud Earring in hot pink from Ruby Olive. Find them here.
Shorts: Katies, $39.95 available in Green Sage, Neutral Sand, Navy, Black. Find them here.
Sneakers: Verali Winter Sneaker $69.95 Find them here.
Sunscreen of your choice.
Have you been a parent helper in your child’s classroom? What did you wear?
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