SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD’S TRANSITION FROM K2 TO P1

Presenters:

Mr Aaron AngSchool Counsellor

Ms Kee Ee KhengAllied Educator

(Learning & Behavioural Support)

Programme Outline

• What is transition support and why is it important?

• What are the key changes from kindergarten to primary school?

• What can parents do to ease the transition?

• How can parents communicate with the school?

What is transition support and why is it

important?

The Stages of a Human Life Cycle

BABYFOETUS CHILD TEENAGER ADULT ELDERLY

What do we mean by transition?

• It is a process of adapting to changes.

• Strong connections between home and school can help ease a child’s transition into school.

• It means accurate information about the child is given to the school, meeting and communicating with new teachers, attending school programmes, adapting to school policies.

Stages of Psychosocial (Personality) Development

INDUSTRY VS. INFERIORITY (5-13 YO)

• If children are encouraged and reinforced for their initiative to carry out a task, they begin to feel industrious (competent) and feel confident in their ability to achieve goals.

• If this initiative is not encouraged, children begin to feel inferior, doubting his own abilities and therefore may not reach their potential.

VS.

Why is transition support important?

Children will like school and look forward to school

Children will show steady growth in their academic learning

VS.

Why is transition support important?

Children will grow up to be confident individuals!

Why is transition support important?

Emphasis on Social Skills and Self-Help SkillsThe Straits Times, 3 November 2018

“Practical self-help skills, like having good hygiene etiquette - including training kids to wash their hands after going to the toilet -can also be overlooked.”- Ms Joanne Andrea Lim, senior curriculum specialist,

professional and education development division at PCF

"Social skills like how to make friends, including sharing and taking turns, and how to ask for help are among the most overlooked areas." - Ms Josephine Loh, training manager at Morning Star Community Services

Cultivate civic-mindedness and good manners

The Straits Times, 21 December 2019

The third test is the test of civic-mindedness and good manners. What are some basic good habits Singaporeans have forsaken? I think many Singaporeans have forgotten how to say "Please" and "Thank you".

What are the key changes?

Size of the building

Buying food

Making friends

Longer hours

Asking permission

from teachers

Listening to instructions

More subjects

School rules

The Key Changes for Your Child

1. Physical

Environment

2. Rules &

Procedures

3. Relationships

4. Learning

What can parents do to ease the transition?

- Mr Aaron Ang

Tips to Ease the Transition

1. Physical

Environment

2. Rules &

Procedures

3. Relationships

4. Learning

1. Use S.A.F.E. communication2. Cultivate independence skills3. Develop social emotional skills4. Manage the academic workload5. Ensure punctuality and attendance

PARENTS BEING THE SUPPORTIVE PARTNERS

Parents Being the Supportive Partners

HOME-SCHOOL COLLABORATION

Parents

Caregivers

Siblings

School Leaders

Teachers

Counsellors

Allied Educators

Student Welfare Officer

CONFIDENT and SCHOOL-READY CHILDREN

1. Use S.A.F.E. Communication

• SUPPORT

• AFFIRM

• FAMILIARISE

• EMPATHISE

1. Use S.A.F.E. Communication

SUPPORT

• Talk about fond memories of your own school days.e.g. What you did in Primary One; kind teachers and cheeky classmates you had.

• Talk about concerns of transition. e.g. like new environment, school rules, friends or fears.

1. Use S.A.F.E. Communication

AFFIRM

• Encourage your child when he/she makes observations. e.g. “That’s interesting!” and ask why he/she said that.

• Recognise small successes.e.g. “You’ve made another new friend in class. Well done!”

1. Use S.A.F.E. Communication

FAMILIARISE

• Do practical things to ease your child into new routines.e.g. Plan the daily routines together, practise how to buy food during recess

1. Use S.A.F.E. Communication

EMPATHISE

• Teach your child word that describe feelings. Acknowledge your child’s emotions.e.g. “It’s okay to feel anxious about starting school.”

• Understand your child’s needs.e.g. Start bedtime early. Children need a lot of sleep.

2. Cultivate Independence Skills

• Encourage self-help skills

• Promote a sense of responsibility

• Teach your child to care for his/her belongings

• Involve your child in making decisions

School-Ready Independence Skills

• Packing his/her own bag• Dressing himself/herself• Eating well during recess• Regulating toilet habits• Alighting with bag from

vehicle• Being ready for Student Care

School-Ready Independence Skills

• Highlighting letters/messages from theschool/teachers

• Showing your note in the Pupil’s Handbook to theteacher

• Approaching the teachers or the General Office

3. Develop Social Emotional Skills

• Teach friendship skills

• Encourage sharing and taking turns

• Involve your child in conversations

• Help your child to manage his/her emotions

Common Issues with Children

• Rough play or behaviour

• Name-calling and teasing

• Queue-jumping

• Broken or spoilt items

• Loss of items

ADVISORY TO PARENTS:

Should there be a disagreement between your child and another

pupil, bring it to the attention of your child’s Form Teacher and the

school will look into thematter.

Common Issues with Children

• Exchange of items in school

• Taking things withoutpermission

• Disorderly behaviour on the school bus

• Unintentional accidents or safety hazards

ADVISORY TO PARENTS:

Should there be a disagreement between your child and another

pupil, bring it to the attention of your child’s Form Teacher and the

school will look into thematter.

4. Manage the Academic Work

• Introduce early literacy and numeracy skills

• Know your child’s school schedule and events

• Communicate regularly with the teachers

• Check your child’s handbook daily

5. Ensure Punctuality and Attendance

• Set up a regular bedtime and morning routine

• Develop backup plans for coming to school on time

• Avoid medical appointments and extended trips during school terms

• Determine if your child’s complaint of stomachache/headache is genuine

Punctuality and Attendance

• Absences must be supported by medical

certificates from doctors or letters from

parents.

• On exam / test days, only medical

certificates from doctors are accepted for

absences.

• Your child’s grade in conduct and eligibility

for awards will be affected if there are

frequent absences without valid reasons.

Communication

Pupil’s Handbook

Face-to-FaceMeeting

Telephone Conversation

Letter to Parents

School Website

Email

Communication

Always remain contactable.

Always let the Form Teacher and the school

have your current contact number.

We are on the same team!

• Keep the communication channels open.

• Give feedback directly to the teachers and the school.

• Be assured that we will never compromise health, safety andlearning.

• Give the school the authority to care and discipline.

• Be patient, as education is often a slow and long process.

Case Management Team

Mrs Jessie SohHOD, CCE

Ms Noel LimAsst. Year Head, P1

Mr Aaron AngCounsellor

Ms Kee Ee KhengAllied Educator (LBS)

Mr Loh Wei LeongYear Head, Lower Primary

Ms JaniceCounsellor

PARENTS BEING THE SUPPORTIVE PARTNERS!

THANK YOU!