Cast your mind back to when you were at school. Do you remember how daunting it was as you made the step up to Junior or Middle School, or made that even bigger leap to the ‘big school’ and your senior years?
While a lot in the world has changed since then, some things remain the same. The chances are that if your child is at one of the key transition points of their school life, they will experience those same feelings of nervousness and uncertainty, so what can parents do to support them?
Jumping from ELC to Junior School
“Some of the biggest things children moving from ELC to Prep may fret about are unfamiliar places and unfamiliar faces. Children may be worried about navigating their way around a new environment and developing relationships with new and different teachers. They may not be with familiar peers and they are also learning about what it means to be in a new class.”Lisa Christopher, Director of ELC
“As children enter Junior School there are fewer play-based activities, and they sit at tables for longer with less opportunity to move around and this can take a while to get used to.
Transitions from class to class are also more frequent and children will find themselves sharing the playground area with bigger children.”
Visits to Junior School and a Buddy Program with Year 4 children smooth the transition for children at Haileybury, but parents can support their child in the following ways:
- If your child voices their reluctance to move up to Junior School, remind them that change and the move to Junior School is natural and normal for everyone. Talk to them about the exciting things they will be able to do in their new classroom and talk through classroom expectations around behaviour. Rehearse some of the situations your child might face in a new classroom and in the playground.
- At the end of a school day, after they have had time to unwind, talk about their day at school. Ask your child the best thing they did.
- Children may be very tired as they adapt to the changes of Junior School, so give them time to relax and develop a good bedtime routine to ensure they get plenty of sleep. Do not be concerned if they do not talk much about their Prep class at first — give them time and space to express how they are getting on when they are ready.
The Move to Middle School
“The biggest challenge when moving to any new school is getting to know how things work and the new routines”Mark Doyle, Head of Science (Middle School)
“Homeroom and classroom teachers help students navigate the early days and weeks of Middle School but it is important for students to ask questions any time they are unsure.”
From Middle School, the workload in class and the amount of homework that students have to complete steadily increases.
Finding time to complete work and learning to manage time inside and outside school becomes key to managing Middle School expectations. Some schools may have a pastoral or wellbeing program to help students who find adjusting to a new year level challenging, however, if your school doesn’t, there are many ways parents can help children find ways to settle into new routines and work habits.
Parents can help children transition to Middle School by:
- Ensuring your child has plenty of downtime to rest and to process the new information they are presented with. They will be tired, so sleep, healthy eating and limiting screen time can help students manage the cognitive load that is part of starting a new school.
- Checking in with your child regularly and encouraging them to raise any concerns or questions with their teachers.
- Creating a space at home where students can do their homework and revise without any disruptions. Helping your child plan out a study timetable can also help provide them with some structure and balance in their week.
Settling in to Senior School
“For students moving to Senior School, the scale of the school and the increased number of students from primary school can sometimes be overwhelming. However, it doesn’t take long for students to become familiar with the buildings and to know where they need to be and there is always someone to ask when you need help.”Catherine McCraith, Head of House and Senior School teacher
“Figuring out how to juggle homework and extracurricular activities after school can also take some adjustment and time, and the best thing students can do to manage this is to think ahead, to know what work is due and to do it as soon as they can.”
During this stage of school, parents might notice their child becoming increasingly independent, forming new friendships and becoming part of new social groups. This is a natural and important part of the Senior School experience.
How can parents support their child during these later years of school?
- Help your child establish routines that foster independence and reduce stress, e.g., create routines around when they will complete homework and prepare for exams.
- Remind your child of the importance of self-care and encourage them to sleep well, to eat well and to have study breaks so they ‘disconnect to reconnect.’
- Give your child time to settle into Senior School but if you think they are facing some challenges, reach out to their Head of House or homeroom tutor. They know and understand the needs of students and can offer strategies and advice on how to flourish in the final years of school.
No matter what stage of school your child is moving towards, listening to their concerns and reassuring them there are people at home and at school who are willing to help them will go a long way towards making the step less stressful.
