Starting a new school year can bring a mix of emotions for both parents and children. From excitement to anxiety, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed. But, we’ve got you covered! Whether your child is starting kindergarten, entering high school, joining a support class, or simply feeling anxious about returning after the holidays, this guide will help make the transition smoother for everyone.
Alongside this guide, we've put together a handy checklist to support your family's transition to school. This checklist features simple, practical activities designed to make the process smoother for everyone. You can download the document, print it out, and focus on the points that best suit your child's and your family's needs.
For Little Legends Starting Kindy
Transitioning to kindy is a big step! Here are some practical ways to help your child adjust to this exciting new chapter:
Visual Calendar: Create a simple calendar showing who will be dropping them off and picking them up each day. You could get them to repeat this to you before the school day so you know they are aware. This gives them a sense of security and routine.
What to Expect: Talk about the school day structure, including when they’ll play, eat, and learn. Visual aids or picture books about starting school can help prepare them.
Packing Together: Involve your child in packing their school bag. Teach them where to find their water bottle, lunchbox, and spare clothes to foster independence.
Practice Lunch and Recess: Mimic school mealtimes at home by setting lunch and recess at the same time in the lead up to help your child get used to the routine.
Role-Play: Role-playing games where you pretend to be a teacher or classmate to help your child practice listening, following instructions, and taking turns.
For Teens Heading to High School
Starting high school comes with new challenges and responsibilities. You can help your teen navigate this change with these strategies:
Prepare for homework/assignments: Assignments, deadlines and the thought of work getting harder are common stresses for our legends entering high school. Work together to ensure they have what they need ahead of time and create a study and homework schedule to help them stay on top of assignments. Trial and error what works best including planners, calendar apps, or whiteboards to organise their tasks visually.
Visible Timetable: Keep their timetable somewhere visible like the fridge so they are getting use to their schedule and keeping organised.
Social Skills: Role play conversations or scenarios to help them feel confident meeting new people, especially if they are starting at a new school compared to a K-12 school. Encourage problem-solving by discussing hypothetical challenges they might face and how to handle them.
Provide Stability: Since this is a big change for them, where possible, keeping home life stable can be useful so they can focus on adapting to this new environment.
Time to Rest: They are likely going to be tired and need time to rest/recharge after school. So, consider the amount of after school activities/commitments, and even chores, and potentially reduce these during the transition period. Every child is different and some, on the other hand, may benefit from keeping their after school activities as they are. See what works best for them.
Communication: Keep an open line of communication. Let them know it’s okay to share how they’re feeling about the transition and normalise their experience if it isn’t going very well. Regular check-ins on how their transition is going can be incredibly helpful. These don’t need to be formal or structured; they can be simple and organic moments of connection. For example, you might ask how their day went, what the best and most challenging parts were, or if there’s anything that could make their day a little better.
For Kids in Support Classes
Preparing for school when your child requires additional support can feel daunting, but a little preparation can go a long way:
Essential Documents:
Diagnosis reports (e.g., ASD, ADHD).
Therapy assessments (OT, psychologist, speech therapy).
Individual Learning Plans (ILPs/IEPs).
Medical information (e.g., health plans for allergies or seizures).
NDIS or funding approvals (if applicable).
Introduce Your Child: Create a profile that includes their likes, dislikes, strengths, challenges, and strategies that work well. Share this with the teacher or support staff.
Meet the School Team: Schedule a meeting with teachers or support staff before the term starts to discuss your child’s needs and any required classroom adjustments.
Visual Aids: Create a visual schedule for daily routines to help your child know what to expect.
Sensory Supports: Pack fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, or other tools to help them feel comfortable.
Social Stories: Use social stories to explain new environments like classrooms, playgrounds, or assemblies.
Here are some social story resources:
For Anxious Kids Struggling with Transitions
Some children find the return to school after a big break particularly challenging. Here’s how you can help:
Prepare Early: Start adjusting their sleep and morning routines a week or two before school begins.
Visual Calendar: Show them who will drop them off and pick them up, so they know what to expect.
Talk It Out: Discuss what the school day will look like and reassure them that it’s normal to feel nervous.
Practice Independence: Involve them in packing their school bag and preparing their uniform.
Build Confidence: Remind them of past successes, like making friends or learning new skills, to help them feel capable.
Create a Comfort Plan: Discuss strategies they can use if they feel overwhelmed at school, like visiting a particular teacher at school or using relaxation techniques.
Supporting your child through a school transition doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By planning ahead and creating routines, you’re setting them up for success. Remember, every child is different, so adapt these tips to suit your little legend’s unique needs.
If you’re looking for extra support, our team of experienced Occupational Therapists and Psychologists is here to help. Whether it’s building confidence, managing emotions, or developing routines, we offer tailored strategies to make the transition smoother for both you and your child.
You’ve got this—and we’re here if you need us!
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