Adolescents' Transitions From Primary to Secondary Schools

The transition from primary to secondary school can be a stressful time.

The transition from primary to secondary school can be a particularly stressful and difficult time, not only for the adolescent, but also for the parents. Adolescents who engage in summer school activities and join clubs or teams can become accustomed to the hectic schedule and work demands of secondary school. This will increase the adolescent's confidence and make the transition easier and less frightening for both him and his parents.

Making New Friends

Enrolling your adolescent in summer activities before the transition can help him understand how to approach new people. Making new friends in a new school can be scary; summer activities can significantly reduce your child's anxieties and help make the transition less stressful.

Getting Used to a Varied Schedule

Persuade your adolescent to frequently switch her day-to-day activities and suggest new activities or hobbies during the summer to help adjust to the varied and fast-paced schedule of secondary school. Schedules are much more structured and rigid in secondary school, so getting used to changes is excellent practice as a real-life stimulation of secondary school.

Joining Clubs and Teams

Encourage your adolescent to join clubs or teams. Participating in a club or team can strengthen friendships between students as well as offer a chance for adolescents to use their talents and have fun. A psychological study by Mahoney, Lord, & Carryl in 2005 concluded that "children involved in after school programs appear to spend more time in academic, enrichment learning, and adult-supervised play."

Staying On Top of Homework and Projects

Help your adolescent set up a work area where he can do his homework. Get him used to using different research methods and teach him about time management skills. Offer your adolescent help and advice on his homework and projects but certainly do not complete them yourself.

References

• Safe Kids: The Transition from Primary to Secondary School
• University of Michigan: After School Programs by Ladonna Moore