Big news! My youngest is finally making the big switch to secondary school this September! We're all thrilled now that the SATs are over and done with and now we can focus on preparing for the big transition. I've done this before (3 times), so I've picked up some great tips and have a few up my sleeve that I can’t wait to share to make things a little smoother for my little one. Moving from primary to secondary school can be overwhelming and daunting, but with the right preparation, it doesn't have to be stressful at all. 

First off, the number one thing you want to do is take a tour of the school! Scouting things out outside of school hours can definitely help your little one feel more confident on that first day. Plus, attending those transition days is key—getting a head start on meeting new teachers and classmates while learning the school policies and procedures will make a world of difference. Encouraging a positive mindset is also a huge factor here. Let your child know that they can improve and grow with effort and practice.  

And when they do feel a bit down about her first day looming, don't forget to provide emotional support! This is a big deal, and they may need a shoulder to lean on from time to time. Over the summer holidays, we'll be concentrating on buying all the supplies she is required to have, as well as some home comforts she can take to her new school. Even though she has to wear the school uniform, she can still pick whether she wants to wear a skirt or trousers, or maybe both so she can pick and choose what she wants to wear on a particular school day. Stationary shopping, is always fun and brings an element of excitement - from choosing the perfect pencil case to finding a cool new backpack that shows off her personality, she will have it all covered!

Additionally, through the summer holidays we will be breaking in her new school shoes, allowing her feet to adjust to them before the big day –so she's ready to hit the ground running with her new school shoes come September. 

Lastly, make sure to seek out additional resources to help make the journey a successful one. There are loads of awesome tools and ideas out there to ease the transition to secondary school. Good luck to all of the incoming students out there - you've got this!