The feelings of anxiety and fear are very normal emotions your child might be expressing before starting High School. Often High School is not portrayed as a positive easy experience for most kids in movies or television shows. As parents or caregivers, it’s our job to change the perception and help them through this change.
Talk about the transition to High School positively
Starting High School does not mean there is a big shift in the expectations of students. At the start of Year 7 there may in fact be a slower pace taken as the Teachers assess where the students are with their learning.
To help put your children at ease, tell positive stories from your high school experience. Talk about the best Teacher you had, the friendships you made or the achievements through sports, drama or academia. Try to focus on the emotions and stories rather than listing the benefits like a script.
Get organised
Help your children get everything they need for their new school organised early, such as uniforms and books. Letting them have some control during this transitional stage will help them feel more confident.
One of the most intimidating things about starting high school is that they will be moving from classroom to classroom with their belongings and potentially using lockers. Teaching your children to be more organised at home will help their confidence in being organised for school too. So, increasing their responsibilities at home to include more things that need planning or organisation such as, packing their sports equipment bag or planning their day ahead of time on a family planner.
Friendships
High school can be a place where you make life long friends but it can take a while to find the right friendships. Taking your children to the school orientation days or giving permission for school camps at the start of the year is a good way for them to make some new acquaintances that may turn into great friendships and help them feel a sense of belonging.
5 Tips to give your children if they need them:
- Start by making friends with individuals by chatting before or after class or on the bus as this is much easier than walking up to a group that may already know each other at school.
- Making eye contact when talking to a new acquaintance will show that you are interested in what they are saying.
- Be yourself! Sharing your interests with new people will show your genuine personality and attract more people with similar interests.
- Ask questions to find out more about the person you’re talking too. Listening and recalling what they are saying will help build the friendship.
- Say hello – make the first move!
As a parent or caregiver, have a conversation about the possibilities of inviting new friends over to your home and how you can make it more comfortable for them to do so.
Keep your routine as similar as possible outside of school
Helping your children feel secure and connected during this change can be as simple as keeping the routine. Sports and hobbies after school or on weekends should carry on as normal where possible. If you have moved during this time, reinstate your family traditions and routines and sign them up for their usual activities.
Try to keep their old friendships connected by organising social activities for them. Keeping these old friendships can ease the pressure of making new friends straight away when they start high school. Encourage your children to talk about what they are afraid of or what’s making them feel uncomfortable and just listen. The feelings will pass and will bring growth in your child’s emotional capacity. Just remind them that these feelings are normal and should not be pushed down or ignored – try to acknowledge them and accept them.