Getting ready for change

In this article:

• Introduction
• The benefits of a smooth transition
• Key questions for practitioners
• Key skills for coping with change
• Planning for individual children
• Supporting the transition
• More online…

Introduction

As the year speeds past, it is soon time for your older children to move on to the next phase in their education: starting in a Reception class. This is a time of mixed emotions for everyone. The children and their parents will feel both excited and anxious: excited about moving on to new challenges, but also concerned about what will be required of them in ‘big school’. Spare a thought, too, for your own emotional state, and that of your colleagues. When you’ve worked closely with a group of children for a time, saying goodbye is hard for you as well. Make sure you factor in some celebrations – a trip somewhere fun and an end of year party.