Our experience in school – good or bad defines us later in life whether we want it to or not. For kids, starting school is both an exciting and scary time. Think about your own experience. Were you scolded by teachers because you forgot an assignment? Did the other children play jokes on you? Have you ever lost your bus fare or lunch money? Here are some ways you can help your kids start a positive year in secondary school.
Easy and painless transition
Most schools offer great transition programs and you can use this opportunity to let your child visit the Secondary School. Visit the classrooms, library, cafeteria, gym, and other school areas to acquaint your child with them. You can also drive around the school a couple of times so the building won’t look quite so threatening.
Helping with confidence issues
Sometimes your child might feel nervous about something. This is a good time to reassure them that it’s okay and normal to feel a bit anxious and that most other students experience the same feeling of being worried. In short, tell them that everything will be fine.
It’s a good idea to discuss all the good things that have happened at school as well as praise them for all the things they’ve accomplished so far. In any case, you should contact the school if after a few days they are still unhappy, and you begin to worry. The guidance counsellor or principal can help you dispel any worries or sort any issue quicker, especially if you suspect bullying.
Assisting with learning difficulties
If you fear that your child has a specific learning difficulty, you should speak to the learning support dept of the school. Furthermore, if your child has a special requirement, you need to discuss it with the teachers as soon as possible. For instance, if your kid has dyslexia or wears glasses in class, ask the teacher to assist with learning.
Go back the next week to check if the information has been passed on to all the teachers since schools – especially public ones are busy places and teachers are barraged with information. Things can get overlooked, which is why you need to take steps to check that arrangements are in place.
Enrolling your child in the right Secondary School
In many cases, the feeling of anxiety or learning issues arises from the wrong learning institution the child is enrolled in. If you’re an expat in Singapore, then choosing to enroll your child in any Singapore secondary schools will benefit him or her the best because of the diversity, generally better curriculum, advanced facilities, and top educators and school staff.
Schools like One World International School (OWIS), for instance, provide a balanced experience for students in secondary level. The school aims to develop equal social, emotional, creative, physical and academic aspects.
There you have it. These basics should serve as a starting point as you research ways for your kids to be successful academically and emotionally. We hope your child enjoys a positive secondary school. Best of luck!