Supporting Your Child’s Transition to High School
The transition from middle school to high school is a big step. Socially, emotionally, and academically your teen is faced with so much change, it can feel daunting. This blog post will offer tips to help you prepare your child for a smooth transition from middle school to high school.
Explore the school:
Attend high school orientation days, open houses or explore school websites to familiarize your child with the school environment, layout, and expectations. Help them become familiar with the school grounds; take a walk or drive to the school and explore the neighbourhood before the summer ends!
Course selection:
Help your teen understand the course selection process and the importance of choosing subjects aligned with their interests and future goals. If this feels out of your skill set, encourage them to look at online resources available to understand the course selection process so they are prepared. Also encourage them to speak to a counsellor once school starts.
Time management skills:
Time management for high school students is an important skill to hone. Soon enough your teen will need to balance academics, extracurricular activities, and personal time. Don’t wait until September to teach or model effective time management strategies. Use a physical planner, paper calendars or if you prefer, go completely digital. Do what works for your family. If your teen is hesitant to keep their own calendar, put a family calendar in a place where everyone can see it and check it every day in front of them. Model adding to the calendar and review together each evening so they are prepared the next morning for their day. Be consistent and maintain a routine so that balancing academics with extracurriculars is easier once the school year begins.
Encourage independence:
Transitioning to high school is a great opportunity to build confidence and independence. Allow your teen to take on more responsibilities at home to foster self-reliance and decision-making skills. If they are attending a day camp or summer activities, have them walk or take public transit by themselves or with a sibling or friend. Create a chore list for them. Ask them for input on family decisions. Building independence in the home will help your teen learn the skills they need for secondary school.
Study habits:
Review and reinforce good study habits, such as creating a study schedule, finding a quiet study space, and using resources like textbooks and online materials. Until school begins, you can help establish good work and study habits by giving them a book to read for pleasure or some activities to work on for fun. Once they get into a routine, it will be easier in the Fall to maintain good study habits!
Build social skills:
The importance of social skills in high school should not be underestimated. With an increase in screen time, teens often need to practice in person conversations and learn skills such as maintaining eye contact, reading facial expressions and body language. Encourage participation in extracurricular activities, clubs, or sports to help your teen make new friends and build confidence. Create a safe and supportive environment where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. If possible, reach out to a parent who already has a teen at the same school and connect your kids in person.
A teens’s transition to secondary school need not be stressful. Help your teenager transition to high school by providing support, guidance, and encouragement, so they may navigate this exciting new chapter in their lives with ease and confidence.
Would you like to ask a question or do you have specific concerns about academic challenges, social concerns, or time management? Do you have more tips for parents on the high school transition or how to prepare their child for high school academically? Feel free to leave us a message!
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