The Transition to School & New Classes
It’s natural to want to build up excitement about your child’s first day at school and of course it’s an important milestone that’s worth celebrating. For many families that hopeful photo of their first day of school is treasured into adulthood. If your child is about to make the transition from nursery to school, you probably will have already marked the end of nursery as well. I’ve recently heard about nurseries getting professional photographers in to take pictures of 4 year olds with mortar boards on their heads to celebrate their ‘graduation’ which takes it to another level! But on a serious note, there is a fine line between building excitement and creating anxiety and it’s important that we don’t increase stress instead of excitement. For many children, particularly those who are neurodivergent (e.g. ASD or ADHD) or those who have experienced previous trauma, change can be overwhelming. For these children and many others it remains important to prepare for each new year when classrooms and teachers change.
Getting the Balance Right
You know your child best and you are the best ‘strategy’ when it comes to supporting them. Do they need to have the anticipation raised or do they need to have their natural anxieties about the transition calmed? Has there been one too many well-meaning relatives asking them if they are ready to start ‘big school?’ Sometimes normalising an experience is just as important as marking it. You might feel it’s best to down-play the ‘big moment’ just as long as you are making sure your child knows what to expect.
Keep reading for tips…
If your child is starting school this September, check in with your own feelings around your childs’ transition as young children are little sponges when it comes to parents emotions. Are you worried about how they will cope? Does this feel like the end of their babyhood? Perhaps you are desperate to get some time for yourself? All these feelings are valid. We can share them with other adults and then focus on attuning to our child’s needs and preparing them for the transition.
Tips for Starting School & Joining New Classes
Preparation is key to successful transitions and the purpose of preparation should be to reduce anxiety and to minimise the number of ‘new things’ your child will be coping with. This is particularly important for neurodiverse children but is helpful for all children, particularly when starting at a new school or after the long summer break.
What you can do in the last week of the holidays:
- Start putting your child to bed early and getting them up close to school hours so they aren’t exhausted when term starts.
- Reduce screen-time gently (if it has increased) and introduce a daily quiet activity such as writing or drawing at a table.
- Try on uniform (your child could wear it in advance) to make sure they are comfortable in it – if they are returning to school, many children will feel more comfortable in old uniform if it still fits.
- Name labels – have fun putting labels on together. It’s a relaxed way of starting the conversation about returning to school for those who feel anxious.
- For school starters, take your child’s new school bag on an outing (for example walking to the school gates). If it’s not their first year then using a familiar bag is less stressful (particularly for many children with ASD).
- Read books about starting school if they are just starting (recommendations below) or use social stories specific to your child’s school day to remind your child about what to expect if they are returning to school.
- Try our art therapy activity ‘Feeling Stones’ and explore how your child is feeling about going (back) to school.
- Talk about their new teacher (how much she is looking forward to seeing them) and any children they know that will be in their class. If you are already have friends, try and arrange a play date before term begins.
Wishing you and your children a relaxed start to the school year!
From the Child in Time team x
Recommended Books for Children:
Why do I have to go to School? By Katie Daynes.
From forming friendships to learning new skills, join a lively bunch of kids as they discover what school is really about and how to make the most of it. Great illustrations and interactive flaps.
Starting School: Do I Have to Go to School? By Pat Thomas.
A beautifully illustrated picture book for children who are starting school for the first time. Going to school is a huge change for young children, this book encourages children to discover the joy of learning new things, meeting new people and having new experiences.
Let’s Get Ready for School by Jane Porter.
Starting school can be a great adventure, but it can make you feel a bit nervous too. The perfect book to reassure any new school-starter. Jane Porter answers all of these questions and more in this warm, witty and reassuring book for young children
Visit our full list of book recommendations…
If you are a parent or carer in need of advice on helping your child(ren) with school anxiety, our online therapists are here to help with the advice and tools you need. Book an Online Parent Consultation or get in touch with Chloe for more information.
