One-minute lecture: How to support a child’s smooth transition to school?
First grade. For many families, this can be a long-awaited milestone, but at the same time also quite a challenge. How can we support a child’s smooth start to school? Guidance is offered by Tallinn University visiting lecturer in Early Childhood Education, Kerstin Kööp.
A child’s school readiness depends on many different factors. Traditionally, school readiness is viewed from three perspectives: cognitive, physical, and social — together these enable a child to successfully learn in a school setting.
Often, school readiness is seen only through the academic lens — whether children can read, write, and count. But in reality, there is so much more behind it. Most importantly, the child should feel well, safe, and have the desire to go to school. For a child, it is essential to have supportive adults around them who understand what the transition from kindergarten to school may mean. If adults expect the child to know and master everything in advance, the child’s biggest concern might instead be how they will get to school or who their new friends will be.
To ensure that the beginning of a child’s school journey feels safe — even among peers they don’t yet know very well — we can help by supporting the development of their social skills. If, before starting school, a child is surrounded by a secure environment where they can safely express their emotions and also understand agreed-upon rules, it will be much easier for them to adapt, begin their school life with confidence, and focus on learning.