Countdown to the end of Term
It is coming to that time of year, when some parents will be preparing for their children to make the leap from Primary to Secondary School transition.
I have gone through it twice, so I know first-hand the worry it can cause children and parents. Each time my children have moved from Primary to secondary school, it has been a different experience as both my boys needs have varied.
I stressed so much about the fact they were going from the Top Dogs at Primary School to the bottom of the food chain at Secondary School.
We all know it is coming, and we think we have 6 weeks through the holidays to prepare them, trust me those 6 weeks fly by.
Here are a few of my Top tips that have helped me, and more importantly my boys through the difficult transition.
Primary to Secondary School Tip 1
If your secondary School runs taster weeks through the school holidays, I would suggest booking your son or daughter on one. My son moaned when I told him my plans, I can understand this as they look forward to having six weeks off all year and here I was sending him to school slap bang in the middle of his holidays. I felt cruel at the time, but I am so glad I did it. He learnt the layout of the building and essential spots on the School map, like where the toilets and food hall were. He met new friends who would be future year 7 pupils like him and some older children who had volunteered to help on this transition taster week. He did some mini lessons so met many teachers before the term started.
At the end of the week the children were taken for a fun day out too.
This experience really paid off, as when he started school he felt more confident getting around the School when it was now filled with 800+ pupils.
Primary to Secondary School Tip 2
If your child struggles with laces, uniform, football socks and ties, then start practicing at the beginning of the school holidays, so again they can feel more confident when dressing in school after P.E.
Another bit of advice is check 1 -2 weeks before the school start date, that the uniform and shoes you may have bought at the beginning of the school holidays still fits. Kids can grow so much between the ends of Primary School to the start of High School at an alarming rate. This way you give yourself a bit of time to swap the sizes of the uniform.
Primary to Secondary School Tip 3
Expect to see mood swings during the first week at their new school, both of my children went up, down and all around! I could not keep up with them. I had to bite my tongue on a few occasions, but I realised that there was many contributing factors to their mood including tiredness, fear and anxiety. So plenty of early nights, Good home cooked meals as they come home starving and try not to ask 101 questions, the temptation is hard though!
Primary to Secondary School Tip 4
Try to keep your anxiety, stress and tears locked in until they have left for school or gone to bed. It is a hard first week for everyone. We have had stresses and problems throughout Year 7, but things are now looking up and going into year 8 seems like a walk in the park.
Good Luck everyone, I am always here to chat or answer any questions you may have.
If you wish to email me personally, please feel free: rachel19784@gmail.com
Follow: U me and the kids on the following Social Media
Follow Me on BlogLovin’ ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Google+ ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram ♥ RSS ♥
Thank you for that…..My eldest is starting secondary school in September and I’m terrified….She’s fine about it though….A very helpful post x
She will be fine, honestly! I can’t tell you the amount of sleepless nights I have had over the years because of the move from primary to secondary. I just hope this may well help you feel a little better.
Some great tips – Thanks
Great thanks so much … my daughter is leaving Primary soon too and i think is more worried about the food chain bit… gone from being big girl of school to baby! Im so nervous for her but i hide it well!!
I know my brother struggled with the transition last year but this is some really great advice!
Thanks Jade & I hope your brother has loved every minute of school so far.
lovely post, i’m sure this will be helpful to lots of parents worrying about their children transitioning to big school!
L x
Thanks, If it can help even one more mum or dad through this difficult transition I will be happy.
No 1 son went up to secondary last year and it went smoothly, even with having to get to the school bus at 7.10am. No 2 son goes in September. and whilst I am not worried about him getting up early, he’s an early riser anyway, I do worry about the workload and long day. However he is excited about going and has pretty much outgrown primary so we’ll just have to hope the transition goes well. One advantage of France though – no school uniform to worry about!
My son isn’t at this stage yet but he is due to start nursery tomorrow, eek! I am very nervous but I’m sure he’ll love it 🙂 x
It’s a big jump, so anything you can do to ease the transition is well worth it.
I have a few years left before I have to worry about this but I will be looking for all the tips and advice I can get
When the time draws closer, please re-read and if you need any more tips post them or e-mail me and I can help.
Some great advice. Thank you!!!
I remember being terrified when I moved up schools. Some great tips. Thankfully my little man has ages to go before school life is an issue
Cat x
My son will go from preschool to primary and yet this tips are applicable to us! Thanks for the tips and for the Klout too =) #pocolo
No problem Merlinda! hopefully this post was of some use to you.
Some really goods tips and advise very helpful
Thanks for writing this, my eldest starts secondary in september and both me and her are nervous… i think i am more than her lol
Great tips thanks for sharing. My eldest is still a while off secondary school but I’d definitely keep them to mind. It seems so scary how fast children grow up!
Thanks for linking up to MMWBH over on In my bubble this week! xx