STARTING THE SCHOOL YEAR RIGHT
A lot has changed this past year, but the start of school remains a big time for children and their families. As schools open in the coming weeks, education experts give advice on preparing well for the year ahead, and getting things off to a positive start – particularly for children going to school for the first time.

Dr Amy Graham, UNSW Sydney – "Parents are a child’s first and most influential teachers"
Dr Amy Graham is an education expert with a strong interest in education psychology, policy, and transitions to school. She completed her PhD thesis on how parents can prepare their children to succeed at school.

"Parents are a child’s first and most influential teachers," said Dr Graham. "Parents teach young children all about the world when they are young, and this does not stop once children enter the school gate.

"Parents still have the potential to affect their child’s educational potential and love of learning through providing a stimulating and fun home learning environment, their communication of high expectations, facilitating positive conversations about school, and showing interest in their child’s learning and interests.

"Showing an interest is one of the simplest ways to help a child be successful. My research showed that parents are keen to share this responsibility with teachers and create a partnership between home and school, but might need support from teachers to find ways to join in their child’s learning journey.

"For some parents, it is hard to know where to start if they have not experienced positive examples themselves or struggled at school. But it is important for parents to know their efforts can make a massive difference to their child’s educational success – even more than where they send them to school or how much they earn. They just have to show an interest."

For more information or an interview, please contact Dr Amy Graham of UNSW Sydney on 0422 891 282 or at amy.graham@unsw.edu.au
 

Associate Professor Elizabeth Rouse, Deakin University –"Starting school for the first time can come with mixed emotions"
Elizabeth Rouse is an Associate Professor in Education at Deakin University, with a particular interest in partnerships between schools, families, and the wider community.

Associate Professor Rouse says it's normal for children to have a big range of feelings and emotions in this time, and it's important for parents to enable them to share these, and to allow children the space to develop new relationships with other children and their teachers.

"Starting school for the first time can come with mixed emotions. Whilst there is a sense of anticipation and excitement, children can also feel ambivalent and somewhat unsure. Starting school has been a long anticipated event for both children and families but can be an overwhelming experience for some.

"Starting school is about forming new relationships – with the teacher, children in the class and the wider school community. Even the most settled child is experiencing change, and just like a parent starting a new job, children starting school will experience all the different emotions.

"It is important for parents to give their children space and time to develop new relationships and share their feelings about their experiences. Parents need to make the time to listen to their children, and often this involves creating opportunities for the child to share their feelings and emotions, rather than responding to parents questions."

For more information or an interview, please contact Associate Professor Elizabeth Rouse of Deakin University on 03 9244 6754 or at l.rouse@deakin.edu.au
 

Associate Professor Kathleen Tait, Macquarie University – Tips to ease the transition into the school year
Associate Professor Kathleen Tait is a special educator and developmental psychologist at Macquarie University.

"While stress related to the annual transition to school may be unavoidable, it can be lessened through careful planning that should begin as early as possible," said Associate Professor Tait.

She gives the following tips for parents and schools to smooth young children's transition into the school year:

• About a week before school is to begin, start creating a consistent bed and wake up time.
• Ease into an early morning routine of getting up at a certain time, eating breakfast and dressing. Remind children to wear a hat outdoors.
• Begin a conversation with your child about going back to school and think about what tasks your child needs from you to get ready for school (such as tying shoe laces, packing their lunch); and what tasks they can do on their own.
• Where possible, for children who will otherwise struggle, choose school shoes that pull on or have velcro fastenings and school bags that have easy access zips. This enables independence.
• Check your child can manage their lunch box, open and close their drink bottle, open food packets and plastic wrap. Avoid sending containers they can’t open.
• If possible, during the holidays, invite one or two of your child’s friends over for a play date. If you pick them up or drop them home, do so via their school.  Encourage the children to recount some of their former year peer experiences.
• If you have an older child, encourage them to explain to their younger sibling where their former classroom was located, where they used to eat their snacks and lunch, where the toilets are and where their year’s playground is.

For more information or an interview, please contact Associate Professor Kathleen Tait of Macquarie University on 0403 619 159 or at kathleen.tait@mq.edu.au

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