Making the transition from pre-primary to primary or even from primary to secondary school – these are milestones in the child's life that might well affect the whole family. Moving on to a new school means leaving their comfort zone and their friends behind for a totally new and foreign environment. This is an exciting yet frustrating and possibly frightening experience for the kid.
How children handle these transitions vary from child to child and their ability to settle into a new place is also dependent on several factors. As a parent, being able to identify these factors will determine how well your child is able to manage that change as they move along from one stage to the next. This is the part where parents need to help ensure that the kid is given extra support during this period.
Visiting the School
Children are more apprehensive when they first enter an unfamiliar place and this anxious feeling can be intensified by the prospect of having to study in this new environment, even though they might not admit it. One way to ease the tension is to visit the school with the child prior to admission, tour the school’s facility, make some friends along the way and acquaint them with the surroundings. If touring the grounds or attending an orientation is not possible, driving past the school to familiarise the child will also help.
Making New Friends
A main reason why children are reluctant to leave their present school is because they have already established a social circle, along with a group of familiar faces. For kids who are outspoken and sociable, this is a step that can be easily navigated but for those who are more reserved, parents can help by role-playing and teaching the child how to make new friends.
Staying on Top of the Workload
It helps to prepare your child for the increased workload and changes to class schedules. Being promoted to secondary school requires the child to be more independent when it comes to learning and getting used to handling group projects and other more demanding academic tasks. Share with him time management techniques and other useful skills such as handling interpersonal relationships with teachers and classmates. This will enable him to better manage his daily tasks.
Encourage Participation
The school is not only a place for learning but a place for enjoying a new sport, a language or honing a new skill. Parents should encourage their child to participate in clubs or extra-curriculum activities that they enjoy. This is a good way for your child to meet new people, as well as interact with his fellow schoolmates and seniors. When he enjoys school life, he is more likely to settle in quickly and smoothly.
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