As we head into the last few weeks of term, many school children are set to say goodbye to their current school to move on to pastures new. Whether your child is moving from infant to junior school or they are heading to senior school, nerves are sure to start kicking in at some level.

Schools are generally great at helping children to transition to a new school setting with information sessions, school visits, and teacher meet-ups. It is important for parents and carers to offer stability during the school transition periods which means lots of listening and understanding.

Keep Positive

The most important thing that parents and carers can do is to stay positive about the changes that lie ahead rather than worry too much about what lies ahead. Of course, saying goodbye to your child’s current school will tug on the heartstrings and it can be upsetting for young children especially. However, looking forward to the future and focusing on all of the exciting times ahead will prove to be much more settling for children. I often hear people talking to young people about lots of homework, stern teachers, and difficult exams that lie ahead of them, which may be true but can sound scary. We need to be realistic and tell our children that work may get harder but try not to be too negative about the experience.

In it Together

Your child needs to know that transitioning to a new school is not something that they need to do alone. When your child hears you tell them that you will be there for them every step of the way it can be very reassuring and will have more of an impact than a ‘tough love’ approach. Your journey through parenting is about supporting the emotional needs of your child which at times means holding their hand until they find the confidence to go it alone. Let’s face it, the move to a new school is just as nerve-wracking for parents and carers as it is for children. Letting your child understand that this is a difficult period for you too will let them know that what they are feeling is normal and nothing to be worried about.

Talk it Through

If your child is anxious about how their new school will be you can talk them through step by step. You will be invited to look around the school with your child so take note of the surroundings and any particular part of the school your child may need to know. You can reassure them that when they get to school they will be shown around and during the first few weeks all children will be in the same boat getting to grips with new surroundings.

It is important to keep the communication going throughout the whole transition which means making sure you have several conversations about how they are feeling even if they say that they feel fine at the beginning of the process.

Preparation

Preparation is key when it comes to embracing change. The following steps can be taken to make sure that your child is school ready:

* Buy uniform in advance and let your child try it on a few times

* Read books about change and starting a new school

* Role-play scenarios your child feels uncomfortable with, for example introducing themselves to new people

* If you will need a new morning routine start it a few weeks ahead of starting school

* Chat to friends who are moving to the same school and arrange for your children to spend time together ahead of a new term beginning

* Check details of what equipment, pens, lunch, snacks, money that your child will need as it is often the small things that children worry about

In order for you and your child to feel fully prepared for school transition, they will need to be in the best position to handle change. This will mean making sure that they eat healthily, sleep well, get enough exercise and feel able to talk through their feelings. When they are feeling the best that they can be they will be in a much better position to focus on the positive changes ahead.

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