Preparing for the transition before high school starts
Preparation can significantly reduce anxiety by making unfamiliar experiences feel more predictable.
Helpful strategies include:
Visit the school in advance
If possible, visit the school when it is quiet so your child can become familiar with:
- entrances and exits
- classrooms
- corridors
- dining areas
Repeated visits can make the environment feel less overwhelming.
Practise the journey
Rehearsing the route to school several times before the term begins can build confidence and reduce first-day anxiety.
Use visual supports
Some children find it helpful to use:
- maps of the school
- visual timetables
- written routines for the day
Visual information can make expectations clearer and easier to remember.
Talk through a typical school day
Breaking the day down step-by-step can help your child understand what will happen and what they might need to do.
Preparation works best when it happens gradually and repeatedly, rather than all at once.
