Kiddipedia
by Eliescha Bazley, Team Leader at ClickView Australia
The transition from year six to high school is a famously emotional time – so much so that even us adults usually have a few deep-rooted memories of the move to ‘big kid school’.
Aside from the new academic subjects, timetables and learning the names of a dozen new teachers, the switch to high school also requires emotional resilience, self-awareness, self-management, and new social skills. To make the path even more challenging, this transition happens right when many students are entering puberty and experiencing some bewildering changes to both their bodies and minds.
A review from Evans, Borriello and Field found the transition from primary to high school is described as one of the most stressful events in a young person’s life, and can have impacts on a child’s psychological well-being and academic performance. Students reported fears about bullying, peer relationships, getting lost in their new school, and coping with a bigger workload.
Thankfully, most schools offer some kind of transition program to prepare students for the practical changes in their daily school life, including managing their own books, following a timetable, having a different teacher for each subject, and using a diary to plan homework and assignments.
There are also several ways that we, as parents, can better support our children during this challenging time, including helping to build reassurance, emotional preparation and equipping them with the appropriate mental skills to succeed.
Firstly, always try to speak positively about the transition. Focus on the opportunities the new school will bring, including new sports teams, artistic or music activities, making new friends, and learning new subjects. Encourage your child to be open to trying new things, even if it might feel scary at first.
At the same time, reassure your child that all feelings are valid. Students will experience a range of emotions during their transition to high school, so make sure to reassure them that whatever they feel – nervous, happy, excited, sad – is completely normal. It’s also helpful to remind them that it’s okay to feel a different way to their friends and peers.
Another great tip is to let them hear about the transition first-hand. If your child has older siblings, then open up the lines of communication and ask your older child to share some tips and tricks and answer any questions they may have. Hearing stories from those who have already gone through the experience can be powerful. If they’re the oldest or are your only child, try to find some older relatives or children of friends to talk them through it.
High school is a mixture of practical and emotional firsts, so make sure to blend practical and emotional preparations. Consider setting up a ‘day in the life of a high schooler’ at home where your child can act out following a timetable, perhaps getting up and changing seats or rooms for each ‘lesson’, and practicing note taking and planning homework in a diary.
Self care is incredibly important for new high school students, especially since they will be left to their own devices far more often than in primary school. Encourage your child to eat well, exercise and get enough sleep. These are key factors for thriving in stressful situations.
Although it might feel a little uncomfortable at first, help your child connect puberty to the emotions they’ll face starting high school. It can be incredibly helpful to help your child understand how mood swings and hormones play a part in how they cope with stress, relationships and new experiences.
Finally, digital resources can open your child’s eyes to the invisible tools that sit alongside their textbooks and pencils. ClickView has free video resources available to help students manage their wellbeing, build confidence, and understand anxiety – all key tools as they transition to high school.
Eliescha Bazley Bio:
Eliescha Bazley has been an education specialist for over 10 years and has worked closely with classroom teachers, Librarians, IT Directors, Executive Teams, and Principals to achieve best practice strategies for e-learning in Australian and New Zealand schools. Eliescha is an educative team leader for ClickView, an online education company that provides over 4,500 schools, colleges and universities with access to high-quality, relevant, and interactive curriculum-aligned video resources.
