Helping children with change and transition
As the end of the summer term looms and the end of the academic year, there is a huge focus on transition and change within schools as children are changing teacher, changing class or even changing school.
It’s a time of excitement as the year ends, but also a time of anticipation, awareness of imminent loss and for some losing key people is hard as the term ends and things begin to change. For many children it can be unsettling as well as exciting and for some children it can be upsetting, scary and even frightening as what is happening is out of their control.
If a child struggles with a transition it can have a negative impact on their wellbeing and their ability to engage in learning. It’s important we help children prepare for change, develop ways of managing changes and build their resilience in coping with new experiences.
In fact, there are a whole range of different feelings we can feel when change is upon us. As humans we often feel safest and most engaged when we are in familiar situations and experiences as we are creatures of habit and routine. When we are faced with change it can be at best exciting but carries with it a level of anticipation and uncertainty.
Change of course isn’t just the end of an academic year, but can happen at any time and sometimes comes without warning. It can be sudden, it maybe a welcome surprise or an unwanted situation that feels out of control, worrying or frightening. But whatever change it is, it is certain that in our life time we will all have to manage and experience a range of changes to circumstances or situations.
“Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.” Mary Shelley
But change is a normal part of life and can provide opportunities for children and young people to develop their resilience.
For all of us, and especially children, change can bring with it some level of stress and it is important to recognise the importance of empathic adults supporting children to manage stress and enabling successful transition and change.
When things around us change, there is anticipation and uncertainty. Managing change can be worrying, exciting and sometimes painful.
Our programme ‘New beginnings and me - Helping children with change and transition’ is an essential resource for helping children to navigate life’s changes.
The programme enables children to understand the range of changes that we may all face in our everyday lives, to share their experiences of sudden or unwanted change, and to acknowledge feelings of anxiety, anticipation, excitement or concern when change is upon us or imminent.
It focusses on supporting children to recognise and acknowledge their feelings - to be able to plan for, to be open to and step into new opportunities whilst acknowledging the experiences they have come through along the way.
Children need time to talk about their feelings and experiences and to feel understood as they navigate new opportunities. With new beginnings there are also endings. It’s important that endings are celebrated and reflected on so that children can be open to new adventures that come their way.
This programme helps children to recognise and label the range of feelings they may have when changes happen. It helps them to prepare for endings and plan for change. Through discussion and the range of activities the children will:
We would love to share this 'New beginnings and me' programme with you and invite you to explore our wellbeing intervention resource to help children to feel valued, heard and connected.
