Coping with change can be tough for people of any age, but unlike many adults, kids don't always understand why transitions take place and how to handle it. Many parents, patiently work with your child and offer the support they need to move ahead into whatever it is they are about to face. Walk together through what is about to change, and get a routine in place as soon as the transition takes place. Many of our tamariki that starts school don't have the opportunity to have a focused transition where the stress is lightened and to talk about how they are feeling and to let all those emotions out. Some students are very fortunate to have parents actively involved in the transition process and are willing to work with the teachers to make the transition less frightening. With regular school visits the tamariki can overcome and succeed in the new circumstances with which they are presented.
My focus this year will be around those tamariki that do not get the opportunity to visit the school with their parents. Many of my new students just arrive one day and are expected to just get on with it and cope. This is hardly the case, like any New Entrant teacher will tell you. As a teacher, we see a different side to what is seen at home. We see the anxiety and fear with being in a new environment with no familiar faces and a million other students(number a new child will see). I always refer back to 2 of my favourite books focus on this anxiety: The Invisible String(It addresses feelings of separation anxiety, something that many children experience in the midst of a transition that impacts their time with loved ones. In the story, a mother describes to her children that they are all connected by "An Invisible String made of love."). My role is to become the school mum to make it as safe as possible without having the anxiety. The second book is Not this Bear - The title gives you an idea of what this story is about. Bear is about to start his first day of school, but he's not feeling ready to go. After a little encouragement, this young bear finds the courage to give school a try.
Since 2020 our "normal" lives have changed to a new normal where we have to "cope" with so much more than before, well-being is at the forefront and definitely the gaps in learning. I have noticed and experienced that the tamariki starting school has gaps in their foundational skills as well as key competencies stated in the Te Whāriki curriculum. The learning journey of our 5 year olds started during Covid. They have not experienced a full year any form of formal learning. It is evident in the formative assessment data done with school entry students. 89% students have scored a 0 on word writing and also well below when have to recognise the alphabet letters and their sounds. Basic self managing skills are not been established and lack of confident Oral Language.
The data of the BSLA baseline assessment showed me that my New Entrants are below in phonological awareness, letter and sound knowledge as well as speech and holding a conversation.
I have set out a few goals for myself to achieve this year to make it for the tamariki transitioning as smoothly as possible.
1. Meet up with ECE centres and kindergartens and have talanoa about their ideas around transition and what their role entails.
2. Design, print and bind a booklet to make the children aware of the people they will meet at their new school.
3. Visit tamariki at their centre and build relationships with them. Read books, do art together and talk about what is about to happen.
4. Work on an action plan collaboratively to make the teachers at the kindergartens and ECE aware of what primary school teachers expect the students to know when they start school.
It’s common for schools to begin supporting first year primary school students and their families through the transition process before the school year begins. But, what about students who enrol unexpectedly at different points throughout the school year?
How can I, my colleagues and the school community effectively support these students through the transition process?
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