Thousands of children will be entering secondary school for the first time this week. For many it can represent a huge transition in their lives. Sylvia Thompson gives 10 suggestions on how to tackle what can be a psychologically testing time
1 Keep tiredness at bay:Tiredness is the most common symptom students experience in their first term in a new school.
The first and, perhaps, most important thing parents can do for children about to embark on secondary school is to establish a good bedtime routine.
With longer, more challenging days ahead, adequate sleep and rest will be crucial.
Most 12 and 13 year olds still need about 10 hours' sleep a night and considering that secondary school means an earlier start for many, this often means in bed by 9pm for a 7am start the next day.
Sleep experts also recommend that electronic games, mobile phones, iPods and even televisions are kept out of bedrooms. Or, at the very least, that there is some quiet time before bed so that young people can wind down from their busy days.
2 Feed them well:While it is important that mealtimes don't become a battleground between parents and children, solid nutritious meals are essential for teenagers.
Many children rely on a quick bowl of cereal before rushing out to primary school but all experts agree that a larger, more nutritious breakfast is important for secondary school students.
Consider rotating cooked breakfasts which include eggs or pancakes. The longer day at school also means that school lunches and snacks have to be more substantial.
A few pieces of fruit with sandwiches, rolls and popcorn will probably suit most students but cooked meals available in school should also be considered when there are after-school sports activities as well.
3 Help them organise themselves:The change from one teacher in one classroom to up to 15 teachers in classrooms spread throughout a much larger school can be daunting for new students.
Add to that a full timetable of subjects with larger, heavier books to manage between home and school.
For many students, secondary school is the first big self-management exercise they've had to embark on.
Teachers, class heads and tutors are all aware of this and will do their best to help ease the transition. But parents can also help by being aware of what's needed for extra-curricular activities on specific days and keeping a general eye on how their children are adjusting to these new challenges.
The National Parents Council (post-primary) suggests that rucksack-type school bags carried across the back (and not over one shoulder) are the best bags for managing heavier books.
Many schools also provide lockers for books that are not required at certain times and students should be encouraged to use them as much as possible.
Encouraging your child to establish a good homework routine at the beginning of term is also worthwhile.
4 Remember other members of the family:On a broader level, secondary school really is the start of young adulthood and this brings many changes to the family dynamics.
Younger children may miss their older siblings from the home and primary school they attended together.
Parents themselves may feel a little sad to watch their children embark on this next stage. In the midst of all the busyness, it's important to dedicate some time to being together as a family.
5 Value education:When parents value education as a life-enhancing experience, their children automatically pick up this positive message and vice versa.
So, when parents approach their child's entry to secondary school with enthusiasm, it encourages children to do likewise.
That's not to say, there won't be any anxiety, but a balance can be found somewhere between the two for both parents and children.
6 Keep communication lines open:The start of secondary school coincides with the beginning of the teenage years.
It's a time when parents begin the process of giving their sons and daughters more space to develop their personalities while, at the same time, making it clear that there are limits to their freedom. Entire books have been written on this subject so suffice it is to say that keeping lines of communication open at the start of secondary school is a good start.
7 Get to know the school:Some parents find themselves reflecting more on their own schooling when their children (and, in particular, their eldest child) starts secondary school.
Comparisons aren't always helpful but using every opportunity to get to know the secondary school your child attends is helpful.
Do your best to attend introductory meetings and tours of the school and grounds which will ease any anxieties you or your child feels about getting lost in their new school.
Talk to other parents about how they coped and remember mistakes will be made and things will go missing in the beginning but it's all par for the course.
Avoid being over-powering or dominant about how your child copes as this attitude won't give them confidence in their own abilities.
8 School rules and uniforms:Teach your children to respect school rules and regulations. Also, encourage them to respect the school's dress code.
This is particularly relevant to children who have to wear a school uniform for the first time.
9 Join the parents' council:Consider getting involved in the parents' council or association. That way, you can really come to understand the school and be part of how things work.
If you can't become a member of the council, do keep an eye on what the parents' council in the school is doing and how it interacts with the teaching staff.
10 Listen to what they've got to say:Finally, be available to listen to how things progress throughout the first term and later on in first year.
Most students will settle in to their new routines by mid-term or by the end of the first term.
If you get an impression that things aren't quite right, ask questions and get feedback from the year head or tutor if necessary.
Always be aware of potential bullying situations but don't escalate situations unnecessarily.
Generally speaking, there is less parental involvement in the everyday life of a secondary school, so don't intrude and rush in to find out everything that is going on in your child's school days.
See The National Parents Council (Post Primary) website on www.npcpp.ie for a comprehensive guide on moving up from primary to secondary school