Transitions


Starting primary school


Starting school is a significant milestone for children and their families. Transitions from one setting to another can be unsettling for a child, as they adjust to new routines, new faces, or new approaches to learning. Preparation beforehand can help your child make a positive transition.


On this page:

Supporting your child with the transition

A child with a disability or developmental challenge may feel anxious about the upcoming changes. These are a few strategies that may help your child with the transition:

Many primary schools offer an orientation program. This usually means that you and your child will have opportunities to visit the school for shorter periods of time before the beginning of the school year.

If this is not available, consider asking the school if you can visit the school at different times so that your child can explore some of the classrooms, specialist areas (e.g. performance arts centre and gym) and the playgrounds.

Family experiences with transitions