On Wednesday evening, the Nia House parent community and staff gathered to explore the transitions children experience at school and how we can support them. In a child’s life there are child-led and parent-led transitions. At Nia House, we have, we celebrate and we support both. Thanks to all of the parents who shared their personal transition stories. We hope to learn from all of you over the many meetings and years together.
Noah walks his toddler classmate Wilma for a primary visit.
What are the transitions at Nia House?
Starting school- the transition TO Nia House
Toddlers to Primary
Becoming an “elder” - A transition within the primary years
The 3rd Year/Kindergarten at Nia House
Leaving Nia House for 1st grade
Which are parent-led transitions?
Starting school- the transition TO Nia House
Leaving Nia House for 1st grade
The rest are child-led!
Supporting Transition
Sage advice from Nia House parents
Validate without fixing: Transitions can be challenging.
Describe the change: Share the steps of the plan, then proceed with the plan, as was described, so they know what to expect.
Emotionally prepare and take care of adult self: Sometimes, we adults are not ready for a child-directed transition and it takes us time to catch up. Some parents mentioned their own feelings of sadness and tears around their children's self-directed transitions.
Trust: Developing trusting relationships within the school community of parents, children and teachers helped us find grounding during the transition to Nia House.
Team up: Communicating with teachers during children's transitions was very helpful- we were supported and able to meet our children's various needs as a team.
Key points from Nia House teachers
Morning drop off routine.
Routine, routine, routine: Keep home routines consistent when there's transition at school. Share information with NH when you have life transitions at home so we can be a steady force.
Exhibit confidence and trust in yourself and your child:
Trust your decision-making during adult-let transitions so that your children trust you and the process.
Trust your children during child-led transitions, even during times of big emotions.
Allow and accept: Big emotions can arise as young people process change. Processing feelings, hard ones too, in a safe community can have positive outcomes and is not necessarily a sign of distress, but one of learning.
Learn: Use what you already learned about yourself, your children and your family to support your future transitions with your children- together, as a team of family, you are becoming experts.
