Enabling open, frank discussions regarding emotions related to leaving the early learning
environment / home or family care to embark upon school are very important. Asking what the preconceived expectations are, will provide you with a starting point for important discussions. Fears may be allayed, or strategies to support the reduction of fears may be able to be worked on together. Disregarding or dismissing emotions that may seem at odds with a child's character or your expectations will have detrimental effects on the transition process.
Many of us have at times felt jubilation or excitement at the prospect of something new. And we often expect that of our children. I certainly built my daughter's expectations up so high for her first day of school, that when I asked "SO! Was it fun??", she looked at me as though I had two heads! Her concept of fun had thus far been quite unstructured and didn't quite look like the 'fun' I'd perhaps misguided her into expecting. She did, however, after the first week of falling asleep at 6pm, and the first month of not having time to eat her lunch, fall in love with school. For children that do require reassurance, familiarity and clear expectations - and let's face it, that pretty much covers every child - the number of visits both with other children present, but also importantly without other children, will impact on the process. Enabling a comfortable viewing of the school, classrooms, library, bubblers, toilets, hall, playground, office - in a quiet way, with the open ended ability to ask questions in an uninterrupted, non threatening way, will go a long way to helping the settling in.
KidsMatter has a number of focus areas to support young children. Transition to School from the perspective of the educator can be supported here: http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/primary/resources-your-journey/starting-school
Transition to school for families to consider: http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/families/starting-school Sign up for ASPECT's Positive Partnerships "Managing Transitions" (Webinar) on 17th September at http://www.autismtraining.com.au/public/index.cfm and peruse their support materials.
And of course the recently blogged about Transition to School Resource: www.transitiontoschoolresource.org.au, will put you and your child or your class in great stead for the year ahead. Ask lots of questions, take lots of photos, attend all that you can regarding these first steps to school.
