Transition to school is a necessary and inevitable change in a young child’s experience. It is one of the most significant markers in a child’s life and as such is deserving of our attention and efforts.

Transition to school involves what Don Edgar, a noted sociologist, calls a “reality test for the developing self”. New settings pose new expectations, new rules and routines, new opportunities to explore and learn.

Nearly all the children at the Early Learning Centre have commenced orientation visits to their schools. As many of the ELC boys commence their visits to the Trinity Prep rooms this week it is apparent that for most, this is an exciting time (for parents and for children), but also one which raises some anxiety of the unknown. Children will react in differing ways to this new environment. Some will slip into the new routines effortlessly, others may suppress their bewilderment, or some will walk confidently into school on the first day and never seem to look back.

Our challenge at Trinity has been to work together as a team promoting this transition period as a positive change, a challenge, a natural progression.

We see parents as colleagues in this journey, acknowledging their profound impact and input, the emotional investment they have in their child and their desire to see their child positively engaged in all the experiences school has to offer.

MRS GENEVIEVE READ
DIRECTOR OF EARLY LEARNING CENTRE