Top Transition Tips

Top Tips for Preparing Students with Down's Syndrome and Learning Needs for Secondary School During Summer Break 

Hands up if you're ready for the leap to secondary school! Let’s be honest, who is terrified about this massive change?  

Four teenagers with Down’s syndrome stand together and put their hands out towards each other. All of them are smiling.

While this transition is a big milestone for all students, it holds unique challenges for those with Down's syndrome or other learning needs. Fortunately, the summer break is the perfect time to equip your child emotionally, socially, and academically for this new adventure. Here are our top tips on making the most of this summer to ensure the best possible start. 

Encourage Independence: 

Promote independence by involving your child in tasks such as organising school supplies, or selecting their outfit for the next day. This fosters a sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency that will serve them well in secondary school. 

Practice Routines: 

This is the biggy!  

Start establishing daily routines that mirror those of the school year. This can help your child become accustomed to waking up, getting dressed, and engaging in learning activities at specific times, making the actual transition less jarring. Make those first few weeks so much less frantic, and get everyone settled before they start.  

Bethan, CEO Jo’s daughter, wearing her new school uniform of a blue striped shirt, dark blue jumper, and pleated skirt.

Wear in the uniform:  

School uniforms are renowned for being a bit starchy, scratchy, and just uncomfortable from coming out of the packet. Most secondary schools have done away with the supermarket light t-shirt option and young people are expected to wear shirts, blazers and even ties. While we all do the try on session, consider getting your child to wear the uniform for a prolonged time in the summer, get it through the wash a few times and make sure you have dealt with all those little annoyances that can be overwhelming for those who are more susceptible to sensory issues. Don’t forget the shoes!

Open Conversations About School: 

Initiate open conversations about the upcoming transition. Listen to your child's concerns and address their fears. Sharing your own experiences from school and highlighting the positives can help alleviate any worries they might have. Make sure they know they are supported in the transition, both at home and at school. If you can, point out a teacher or educator who can be their key point of support at school. This links directly to the next point…

Collaborate with Educators: 

Work closely with your child's current and future teachers to create an individualised plan. Sharing insights about your child's strengths and challenges can guide educators in tailoring their approach to provide effective support. Make sure they know about the basics, give them access to the resources delivered by Down’s syndrome Association and Down Syndrome International. You can also pass on our Learning for Life project for them to complete in school. It’s free for the educators to use too!

Two teenager students with Down’s syndrome holding their hands up to their ears. The girl is stood on the far left, and the boy on the far right. Between them is a graphic explaining the ways to help ease the transition from primary school to secondary school. These are all explained in the article, and the titles of each section are listed in the graphic.

Foster Emotional Resilience: 

Encourage your child to engage in activities that boost their self-esteem and confidence. Art projects, outdoor adventures, and relaxation techniques can help them develop emotional resilience, preparing them to tackle the new school year with positivity. Help them understand emotions and how to cope with these huge changes. You can always use our Emotions series to help (sign up or log in to access this link).

Summer Learning Adventures: 

Turn the summer break into a fun learning experience. Explore educational games, reading challenges, and creative projects that align with your child's interests. This not only keeps their academic skills sharp but also nurtures a love for learning. Don’t forget you can get them started using our Learning for Life free resources at home.  

Celebrate Achievements: 

Acknowledge and celebrate your child's achievements, both big and small. This positive reinforcement boosts their self-esteem and encourages a proactive attitude towards their upcoming transition. 

Remember, the summer break is a golden opportunity to lay a strong foundation for your child's secondary school journey. By focusing on emotional well-being, social skills, collaboration with educators, and practical preparations, you can empower your child to step confidently into this new chapter of their education. This journey may be bumpy, but you will be ready for it!

While the secondary school transition is your main concern, these skills will help your child through many transitions in their life. Building up these mechanisms will only benefit them throughout life.

Learning for Life can help you to be more prepared - by providing specialist, quality teaching on the primary RSE curriculum taught age-appropriately right up to young adulthood. This way you can provide your child with the often-missed social skills teaching throughout their secondary school experience, to keep themselves and others happy, safe, and independent. Oh - and it’s all free!