Student Wellbeing

Transitioning back into a new school year often includes.......

.....a change in teacher

.....a new learning space

.....changes in the students in the learning area

.....changes in routine and responsibilities

For many students, these transitions can be extremely stressful, no matter what age or how BIG or SMALL the change may be.  For some children........

Some teachers use different terms and say things in different ways eg. one teacher says 'pack away', while anothers may say 'clean up'.  Teachers and students have different facial expressions and body langage to interpret, new schedules, new expectations, different mannerisms, just to mention a few changes.  Then there's the differences in the new classroom space from the previous year that they may find. While our 4 Transition Sessions at the end of last term provide assistance, particularly with the new classroom space, some students may still experience a little nervous anticipation, mixed with the excitement of new experiences for the year ahead! So how can you support your child in transitioning to the new school year?? 

Angela Lockwood, Occupational Therapist, Speaker, Author and Podcast Host (Feb 22, 2022) provides a number of practical tips to assist parents in helping their child to adjust more easily.  Here is a short summary of tips from her article above:

• Go shopping together - buy some new stationery items that will help your child feel proud of their belongings! 
• Involve your child with school lunch preparation - No matter what age, they need to fill their drink bottle, choose their snacks or even make or pack their lunch into their lunchboxes.
• Get them to lay out their uniform and prepares things they will need the following day, the night before - It is important for them to feel in control and organised for the day. Going to bed knowing they are ready for the day ahead and having processed the events for the following day, will remove the likelihood of panic and feeling anxious due to lack of time or readiness in the morning.

• Use a visual checklist - This takes the verbal pressure off you and provides a visual reminder of what needs to be done and in what order. Our students are all used to doing this with their Visual Timetables each day at school too!
• Use positive language - Have conversations about all the exciting things they are looking forward to for the year ahead, including any school camps, special outings or sport activities that they will have the opportunity to take part in,m even if you think they may be a little nbervous about some of these. If you use positive language in conversations with your child, they will look at the opportunities rather than the downsides of things they may be currently challenged by. 
• Take the time to listen - The beginning of the school new year can feel overwhelming with so much news to share. This time is valuable for you and them. Take the time to stop and listen (no phone in hand) while they share their news from the day or their worries about how things are going for them.  As a parent, you can gain so much insight into how your child is settling in and how you can best support them with a smooth start to the year.  

Enjoy the fun-filled year ahead and please contact me if you need further support in helping your child transition to the new year or if they are experiencing separation anxiety that we may be able to offer further suggestions for.

Warm Regards,

Jenny Todd

(Student Wellbeing Leader)

jennyt@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au