Primary school is the starting point for most educational journeys. It can be for some the place where many social skills are formed and values and beliefs outside of the home are created.

For many parents, it will also be the first time that they have experienced a level of independence in their child, with the responsibility of handling home work and similar school based projects. For many it is also a time when there are significant changes that arise in their child on a day to day basis. This could be friendship groups, behaviour or emotional intelligence. Having worked as a primary school mentor for eight years, my concern was always the transition period for most of the mentees that I had the pleasure to know. I have always maintained that transition to secondary actually starts in year five, when most of the pupils are already experiencing fear or worrying about the change in environment. Many are fearful of the increase in workload and the increased responsibility to manage their time better etc. Secondary school can also be a concern for parents, many of them are unconsciously worried about the well being of their child or children when this environment changes. Parents play a massive part in preparation for transition to secondary.

HAVE FAITH

This natural fear is not uncommon in young people that live in specific boroughs of London and the surrounding counties.

Imagine the fear of being at the bottom of the pecking order again after spending so much time being the eldest in their respective primary school?

The overall fear of having a year eight child bully them is enough to make them emotionally unstable for the transition. This fear is evident during the transition period. With the long break from school, the summer will be a pivotal time to put aside time to understand your Childs emotion challenges.

An individuals value and beliefs system undergoes a noticeable change between the ages of eight and thirteen. Applying the correct sensory acuity will give you the skills to notice these changes and act upon them as and when they present themselves.

For example, before the change in values, you may have been comfortable knowing that your child listens to you and carries out your instructions without challenging you. This may be as simple as a set time for bed or the selection of clothing etc. These beliefs can now be challenged and mimicked with a friends values and beliefs systems. So now when you try to enforce a specific bed time, or the wearing of clothing in a acceptable manor, this becomes a challenge of values and beliefs which often presents itself as behaviour.

Take the time out to ask specific questions about the fear they have about the change of responsibility and environment. The most important thing for you to understand as a parent or carer is that there is a significant change in the value an belief systems