6. Transitions are important
Transitions are important
It's ok to be worried about going back to school
Go gradually and slowly
Allow everyone the time and space to share and discuss
Prepare everyone for changes
Support regulation
It's ok to be worried about going back to school
Having worries around returning back to school is to be expected at present. NHS Education for Scotland have created a collection of detailed resource packs to support:
Parents/carers to help prepare their children for going back to school
Parents/carers of neurodiverse children to help with going back to school
Go gradually and slowly
Everyone is making transitions to new circumstances e.g. having been at home or working in a Hub. We should treat the return to school like it is a new start and apply the principles attached to such a time - go gradually and slowly. Think enhanced transition. Some children and young people may take longer and need more graduated returns than others. Be flexible and respond to individual needs. Consider the use of 'transitional objects' e.g. pebbles, scents, notes, music. You may want to consider restating/ identifying key adults/ points of contact for children, young people and their families to ensure good communication.
'Clothe yourself in love'
Watch this video of Suzanne Zeedyk talking about transitional objects
Allow everyone the time and space to share and discuss
Give staff, children and young people time to meet, share and reconnect. This will be needed for the foreseeable future. Children and young people will need this every day. Staff will also need more regular meetings. Starting and ending sessions will be vitally important. Make sure you give enough time for these parts of the day and think about how you are going to use them.
Everyone has had different experiences during home learning. Everyone will be feeling a range of different emotions around coming back to school. This video, aimed at primary children, tells the story of 4 different characters, their experiences and emptions.
Prepare everyone for changes
Give staff the chance to walk round the school, individually and in groups. They will need time and space to reflect on risks and voice concerns before they can start to consider solutions. Think about how to prepare the children and young people for the change - virtual tours, photographs, a letter or phone calls. Let them know where they will be based and who will be in their group/ class - children, young people and staff. Maintain and highlight continuity where possible. This will enable parents and carers, where they can, to support the changes. Prepare for new routines at the start and the end of the day e.g. videos, photographs, modelling. Visuals and countdowns will help everyone adapt to the new structures and routines.
Virtual Tour: Lochend Campus, Dunbar Primary School
P7 into S1 Pupil Support Welcome: Preston Lodge High School
Transitions in 2020
This resource provides practitioners with advice, guidance, signposting and practical resources to support children and young people through transitions in the context of COVID-19.
Support regulation
Support everyone in school to regulate (sensory, emotional and cognitive regulation) and offer supports for times when they cannot. Remember, only a well regulated adult can support children and young people who are struggling. Ideas to consider – predictability, familiarity where possible, movement breaks and physical exercise, options for quiet time (staff and pupils), mindfulness activities and snacks. Model and encourage listening, open body language and animated curious conversations.
Guided Meditation Activity from Insight Timer
Insight Timer is a free app that has guided meditations, talks, relaxing music and soundscapes to help calm the mind, reduce anxiety, manage stress, sleep deeply and improve happiness for children/young people and adults.
Peacebeam For Kids - Kindness is a guided meditation for children about how important it is to be kind to ourselves and others.
Finding your balance activity from Young Minds
This simple exercise is for children of any age and is particularly useful at the beginning of the day. It allows children time to breathe, relax, wobble and giggle!