Transitioning your child to school
Children all over the country will be starting ‘big school’ soon; a huge transition for children and families. With new routines, more structure and an unfamiliar environment, it can be a daunting time. There is bound to be some fear, anxiety and tears (and that’s just the parents).
We spoke to transition-to-school expert, Dr Lyn Cronin; lecturer for UOW’s School of Education and member of Early Start’s Play, Pedagogy and Curriculum theme; for some useful tips on facing this change with confidence and care.
"Don't worry about your child's academic skill; this will come”, Dr Cronin said. “Social skills are the most important factor as a child begins school. If they are confident socially they will start to feel a sense of belonging that will then aid in their learning.”
Dr Cronin suggests role-playing conversations with your child that they will have at school, such as how to make a friend or join in a game, or approach their teacher. “Role-playing examples in a comfortable environment can make all the difference when it comes time to applying it in a real situation such as in the playground,” she said.
She also suggests practising taking turns, being patient and what to say when things aren’t going their way. “Playing board games, such as snakes and ladders, or memory games are a great way to practise taking turns, being patient and winning and losing gracefully.”
Most families would have attended their formal orientation sessions but try to also include some informal play dates with the children that will be in your child’s class before starting. “Organise a park play date before school starts, just knowing some familiar faces will ease the anxiety for all,” Dr Cronin said.
You can also watch Dr Cronin’s full Early Start Speaker Series talk on School Readiness below...
Dr Cronin believes imaginative and physical play are still important. “Allow as much opportunity for play as possible. Imaginative play allows for a child’s cognitive development and problem-solving skills. Physical play helps children develop the core strength they need to sit for longer periods of time at school,” she said.
The more your child's teacher knows about your child, the better teacher they can be. "Be sure to clue in your child's teacher with information on your child's interests, strengths and any particular behaviours they need to be aware of," Dr Cronin said.
Reading to your child allows them to develop new concepts and ideas as well as vocabulary and language skills that are so important for literacy skill development. Dr Cronin suggested, "Incorporate opportunities for stories, talking and listening and numeracy in everyday experiences."
"Ensure your child gets adequate sleep and a nutritional breakfast; the first few months will be particularly tiring," Dr Cronin said. And try to avoid too many extracurricular activities during this time."
Dr Cronin also suggests making sure a child has tried on their uniforms, worn in their school shoes, is comfortable opening their lunch box and can recognise their name and belongings. Ensure you pack a spare pair of underwear too.
"It's very important for parents and carers to feel comfortable and have a sense of belonging to the school community and this will translate to the children," Dr Cronin stressed.
Top tips to help parents achieve this:
- Embrace school and community relationships.
- Establish a positive relationship with teachers/school community by being a familiar friendly face at school when you can.
- Develop positive communication with the office personnel;they will be invaluable over the coming years.
- Develop positive communication with other parents and carers.
- If you have time, get involved with class/school activities particularly in the early days.
- Become familiar with the school environment and routines.
"It's a big milestone for any family," Dr Cronin said. "I wish all families a smooth and successful transition to school."
...and watch Dr Leanne Gibbs talk to Lyn about transition to school on Early Start's Expert Insights.
Want to learn more about what is going on at Early Start? Find out here.
