Wellbeing

Healthy transitions

The end of the educational year brings changes, both big and small, for children, young people and adults. 

Be You In Focus Webinar: Transitions – preparing children and young people for change (Please click to watch)

Everyone reacts differently to change – some find it exciting, some find it stressful, some hardly notice it happened.

Adults use their experience and existing knowledge to predict what changes may be like, and how it may affect them and can develop strategies to help them adjust and cope.

Children and young people don’t often have as much prior knowledge or experience to draw on which can make change more difficult and challenging.

Transitions are everywhere, every day

Transitions are best described as change: a period where we must adapt to new circumstances, expectations, people, environments or routines. 

Transition involves more than the first day in a new situation – it’s happens over time both before and after what we think of as the ‘big’ day. How quickly children and young people adjust varies. 

When thinking about types of transitions for children and young people we might consider:

1. their first transition from home to an early learning service 
2. the first year of school
3. moving from primary to secondary school 
4. finishing secondary school and moving to the next stage of study or work.

However, small transitions are happening every day for children and young people: saying goodbye to family in the morning, stopping one thing and starting something new, moving from one room or building to another. 

Transitions also occur in home life: moving house, going on holiday, the birth of a sibling, family changes, separations or bereavements. 

These early years’ experiences can influence how we approach and cope with transitions throughout life.

What we might observe during transitions

Children and young people often communicate their feelings through behaviour. They rely on the adults around them to understand, acknowledge and interpret their behaviour, and provide a safe, secure, predictable space for them.  

Transitions are successful when children and young people feel confident, secure and included – and these are all important protective factors for children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Supporting transitions and building resilience

We build resilience by learning and developing social and emotional skills – including coping skills. With these skills we manage life stressors, grow confidence and willingness to try new things, and seek and accept help when required. 

During transitions, things we can do that provide the most positive experience for children and young people, maintain and grow relationships, and reduce routine disruption and stress include: 

1. Plan and prepare for transitions through a supportive orientation process.
2. Have consistent communication with everyone - including children, young people, their families and educators.  
3. Develop strategies that include planning for and respecting diversity and individual needs.
4. Be flexible when the unexpected happens.
5. Establish routines as soon as possible to develop a sense of predictability in the new environment.

Better Place Australia is currently funded to provide programs listed::

• Supporting Children after Separation Program (SCASP) which provides counselling to children from separated or separating families experiencing difficulties arising from the separation. This counselling ideally would involve both parents (where possible and safe to do so) working towards common goals for the child.  The parents would have an initial (separate) assessment session each and then feedback sessions when required.
• Through one of our other programs Family and Relationship Services (FARS), we can see children from intact families who are older than 10 who are experiencing relationship issues such as, friendships issues, sibling issues and family issues. Also, this service is for adults, individuals, families, and couples.

Please call for more information on 9556 5333

Planting Seeds Psychology 

NOW TAKING NEW CLIENTS

NO WAITLISTS

Moira Allied Health - Occupational Therapy in Schools

Hello from the MOIRA Allied Health Team,

We have exciting news! We have new OT’s starting at the end of July who will be ready to support your students.

To get started, complete our online referral form linked below:

MOIRA Allied Health Referral Form

Occupational therapists work with children and young people of all abilities to support participation at school to achieve their best outcomes from their education. Each person is an individual, so their needs will be to. MOIRA’s occupational therapists conduct assessments to identify individual goals, strengths and barriers to learning, then recommend strategies or changes to the environment to increase a student’s capacity to participate.

Advanced Psychology

AP is a newly established private practice, that aims to improve the quality of life for individuals and families. Even though our psychologists have years of experience, as we are a new practice, we have immediate availability for referrals for therapy and assessments, available both face-to-face and via Telehealth.

AP provides assessments for Specific Learning Disorder (such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia), Autism, and ADHD for clients of all ages. We offer therapeutic services for a range of mental health conditions commonly present in children, adolescents, and adults, such as emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, stress, sleep issues, inattentiveness, and challenging behaviour. We work closely with individuals as well as the whole family to develop healthy and sustainable long-term coping mechanisms in order for them to thrive in all areas of their lives.

Director and Principal Psychologist

Advanced Psychology

Suit 1.04 71 Queens Road, Melbourne 3004

Phone: 0479069648

Email: lindakollind@advancedpsychology.net

Web: https://www.advancedpsychology.net/

Josy Reeder

Learning Diversity/Wellbeing Leader