Ready for the next stage?

Every student experiences the excitement – and horror and anxiety– of transitioning to a new stage of their school life, be it kinder, prep, senior primary, high school or VCE.

Here are some tips on how to help your child prepare and adapt to the many changes that are about to happen at school and beyond.

Fuel excitement

• For pre-school or kinder goers, writing a story, drawing pictures or acting out what the first day of school will look like for them will offer some early exposure of what they can expect from a normal school day. This creative preparation can also help if your child is worried about getting homesick or being away from family.
• Primary school students can have a look at their school’s annual calendar and take note of big events happening that year. Reviewing the year’s dates for school camp, the annual concert, or athletics day will offer milestone occasions to look forward to. The same can be done if there’s a special curriculum-focused event happening that year, such as cultural days, show-and-tells, or annual swimming lessons.
• High school students will be eager to learn about opportunities or privileges available to them as they progress through secondary school. Encouraging them to pursue leadership positions, roles in their school’s theatre productions or running a club or sport can be a great way to get your teen excited to get back to school.

Prepare for possible challenges

Your child can offer insight into their school experiences, so asking them directly if there’s anything worrying them is the best method to prepare for any possible challenges. Some other ways you can prepare are:

• Reviewing any challenges from previous years and if any new solutions need to be offered.
• Exploring how your child’s school can best support them, such as homework clubs, extracurricular activities or integration aids.
• Speaking with your child’s teacher(s) about how they can be best supported.
• Creating a support system your child can depend on.
• If your child is heading to a new school, organising a meeting between your child and the principal or their new teacher can be a great way for your child to express their concerns before starting the school year.

Create a support system

Establishing a support system can help normalise your child’s experiences of worry and nerves.

• For primary students, set up a peer-buddy system where a peer or older child meets your child at the school gate or, if neighbours, can walk them to school. Buddies are also great to have around school grounds to offer help for your child with adjusting to the school year.
• For your teenager, establish healthy routines as a family, and support them around technology use, sleep and schoolwork. Be sure to also help them retain some of their friendships and social circles so that they have a social network to rely on.