Thousands of junior infants are a couple of weeks into their first year of school. The transition to school can be a stressful time for parents and children, lasting much longer than the first few days and weeks in school. It is a long journey. I finished my first year teaching junior infants in June and it was an eye-opening, wonderful year. There is something special about hearing children read for the first time and seeing their development academically, socially and personally.
Before we broke for the holidays, my class reflected on their first year of formal education. They brainstormed advice to give to the new infants who are now adjusting to school life. They remembered their nerves, excitement and fears on day one but also the learning and fun they has during the year.
“On the very first day of school I was sitting at the bord buí playing fish and blocks. I wasn’t scared after that,” says Conor.
“You’ll be happy with your teacher,” says Katelyn. Mateusz agrees: “Don’t be scared.” Bianka says: “When I was here a long, long time ago, my mummy took my photograph. I was so happy at the bord dearg. I made a new friend, Aneta.”
“Don’t be scared because you miss your mommy. You can get some teddies. You can colour. Don’t cry, it’s okay” advises Aayushi.
Harry recalls how he felt on that first day: “I had butterflies in my stomach because you always get butterflies on your first day of school and when you’re going on a height. I felt much better when it was over though. It was fun.”
Sue Dockett is professor of early childhood studies in Charles Stuart University in Australia. She and professor of education Bob Perry researched the educational transition period of starting school, focusing on the child's perspective. Interestingly, they discovered that what parents and educators considered important in the transition differed from what children deemed important. Young children focus on the rules they need to know to function at school, how they feel about going to school and the presence of friends. Children think of school as a place to make friends and be with friends.
The adults, on the other hand, emphasised the importance of children adjusting socially to the school environment. Parents want their child to adjust to an adult in an unfamiliar setting while educators look at learning to operate as part of a large group.
Dockett and Perry suggest seeing the start of school as not just an experience for the individual child but for the whole community, to help children realise they have support and that school is positive and exciting. Where there are good relationships between families and schools, all parties reported positive feelings about the transition. Without such relationships there were hesitations, anxieties and concerns.
It’s important to adapt this during your child’s formal education. Teachers know parents are the primary educators and a good relationship with them is crucial. Inform the teacher of any concerns and come up with a solution together. I recall one child who was afraid of the sound of the hand-drier in the bathroom for weeks. Another took months to finish her lunch within the allocated time. The transition takes time; it is not over in a few weeks.
The little children who entered my classroom last September have grown to be funny, thoughtful, hard working members of our school community. They’ve gained confidence in their new friendships and knowledge of the infant curriculum. Those early years of your child’s life are precious and, as a teacher, it is rewarding to see their constant wonder and awe.
We mull over our favourite memories of the year. Liam says he loved learning new letters and that “i” and “l” were his favourites. Alex says she loved role-play and the hair salon we created. “My favourite thing to do was dress-up,” says Ava.
“Learning all the sounds and starting our copies and books was the most fun,” adds Jayden. “I loved Golden Time, Student of the Week, making new friends and my teacher,” says Tallulah.
Bianka sums it all up nicely when she says: “I’ve been so happy and my new friends are everyone in the class.”
