How to emotionally prepare your child for secondary school

A recent South China Morning Post panel discussion moderated by Ms. Jannie Tam, Founder and Senior Director of GROWDynamics Talent Development, gave insight into how parents can emotionally prepare their children for secondary school.

The speakers on this panel include Alison Harding, High School Co-Principal at The Harbour School, and Mr. Allan Morrison, Principal for Secondary at DSC International School.

The Secondary School Transition Is a Time of Change

Many changes come with children’s transition from primary to secondary school. Students may go to a new school or a new campus, have different timetables, experience different academic rigor, and make new relationships with peers and teachers. 

Though these adjustments can be challenging to navigate, Mr. Allan Morrison shared that “the biggest change is really around the social and emotional development.” Around the age of 12 and 13, children gain independence and move from a more black and white world to a more abstract world. As children explore this new world and get more freedom, parents may also face some challenges as their child starts testing the limits of their independence.

How to Support Your Child in This Transition

Perhaps most importantly, Alison Harding advised parents to have “really open, honest conversations about how things are going—and that doesn't necessarily have to be, ‘how are things going academically’ … that can be, ‘how are things going with peer relationships?’” Keeping an open line of communication within the family can help ease stress before, during, and after the transition.