Education and Child Matters

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School Transitions

 

WHAT IS A SCHOOL TRANSITION?

The term ‘school transition’ is used to describe the movement of a child of compulsory school age to, from, between and through different phases, aspects and points in their education life. Examples of such transitions are:

  1. From one key stage to another
  2. From reception to primary school.
  3. From primary school to secondary school.
  4. Secondary school to college
  5. From college to university
  6. From school to workplace
  7. From one class to another class
  8. From one grade level of class to another which is either higher or lower.

CAN SCHOOL TRANSITIONS BE SCARY FOR A CHILD?

A child will go through many transitions during their school life. It is important for teachers and parents to be aware of how a child could be feeling and going through during these times:

  1. A child could be feeling nervous about joining a new class.
  2. They could be scared of joining a new school
  3. They could be anxious about starting a new course
  4. They may feel insecure about leaving school and joining the workplace
  5. They may be unhappy at leaving their friends and joining a new maths group for example. 
  6. A child may be frightened of moving from a small school (primary school) to a big school (secondary school). 

School transitions can cause some children anxiety, loss of appetite, sleepless nights, worry, and distress. Many are unable to speak about it or explain their feelings. 

WHAT SIGNS DOES A CHILD SHOW THAT THEY ARE FINDING SCHOOL TRANSITIONS DIFFICULT?

Some of the signs a child can show are:

  1. They are not settling in their new environment.
  2. They are withdrawn
  3. They are struggling to make new friends
  4. They are waking up with a tummy ache and not wanting to go to school.
  5. Their school attendance is poor
  6. They are showing disinterest in schoolwork and studies
  7. They are disruptive
  8. They could be getting in with the wrong crowd.

HOW CAN TEACHERS AND PARENTS HELP A CHILD THROUGH SCHOOL TRANSITIONS?

The most important thing about this subject is awareness. This is a topic that can be easily ignored, dismissed and not taken seriously. By being aware teachers and parents can greatly help a child through all school transitions no matter what they are. 

  1. They must identify the school transitions a child will face in advance.
  2. They must do what they can to ensure there is a smooth transition.
  3. They must help the child adjust.
  4. They must alleviate any fears the child has with regards to the move.

HOW CAN A PARENT ACHIEVE THIS?

Helping your child with school transitions is all about helping them deal with, adapt to and face changes that are occurring in their life and their environment. If you can help them navigate this during their school years then you will be teaching them how to continue to deal with changes that occur in their lives after schooling and education. 

As a parent you can do the following:

  1. Identify all the school transitions that your child faces over the next 6 months.
  2. Sit your child down and talk about one school transition at a time. 
  3. Ask your child questions about how they feel and if there is anything that scares them or makes them nervous.
  4. Listen to your child’s answers. Do not dismiss these answers.
  5. Address your child’s answers to your questions
  6. Reassure your child that you will help them and hold their hand all the way through 
  7. Make your child feel as if they are supported and you have their back.
  8. Ask your child how you can help them and what would comfort them.

It is important to teach children how to identify and face changes in their life and their environment that cause them concern. Your care now will show your child how to manage their thoughts and feelings and use their strength to move forward and overcome these changes. This is a part of looking after your child’s wellbeing.

ARE THERE PARTICULAR CHILDREN WHO ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO SCHOOL TRANSITIONS THAN OTHERS?

Research has shown that there are certain groups of children that find it more difficult to cope with school transitions than others. They are:

  1. Children from problematic backgrounds
  2. Looked after children (children in care) 
  3. Children with special educational needs
  4. Children with behavioural issues
  5. Children who suffer from anxiety

If your child belongs to one of the above groups then you should make an appointment with your child’s teacher and speak with them about any school transition your child may be going through or will be going through. The pastoral department at the school will help. The school may:

  1. Arrange handover meetings if a child is moving from one school to another.
  2. Address issues with the child before a school transition takes place.
  3. Assess the child to see how they are settling in
  4. Put provisions in place to help the child settle.
  5. Help the child make new friends and sit them next to someone they will get on with.

HELPING YOUR CHILD MOVE FROM SCHOOL/COLLEGE TO UNIVERSITY

One of the most difficult transitions in your child’s life will be when they leave school or college and go to university or join the workplace. This move indirectly signifies the move from childhood to adulthood because of the following reasons:

  1. University and the workplace will not have the same strict routine that school provides for your child. Your child will have to show more responsibility towards their life.
  2. There will be uncertainty of moving up the career ladder
  3. The academic workload will increase.
  4. There will be an expected improvement in the quality of the work.
  5. Your child may have to leave home and move near their university. They will be leaving the security of the home.
  6. They will be taking on debt.
  7. They will be going into a new environment and meeting new people.

We discuss this in detail elsewhere in this website. Please click on the link below.

LINK TO OUR L.I.P .HELP GUIDE FOR AFTER EDUCATION