Learning for everyone Childhood Transitions Effects on Children

Learning for everyone… Childhood Transitions Effects on Children

Learning for everyone… Transitions Children and young people naturally go through a number of transitions as they grow up, for example: Ø being weaned onto solid food Ø progressing from crawling to walking Ø being potty trained Ø going from nursery to primary school Ø moving from primary to secondary school Ø transferring from secondary school to college/sixth form Ø starting work Ø leaving home. Ø Can you think of any more?

Learning for everyone… Unexpected transitions Not all transitions are experienced by every child/young person What are they? Parents divorcing Having a new step-parent Having a new step-family Serious accident, illness or death in the family Moving house The birth of a new baby in the family Some unexpected transitions The unexpected change of school or childcare provider Violence or abuse within the family

Learning for everyone… Effects of transitions Ø Children and young people need to be supported through transitions. Ø Children and young people who have had many moves or changes may feel a sense of loss or grief. Ø Some changes may have a profound effect on their emotional and social development. DISCUSSION How can children/young people be supported : a. When starting college/school/nursery? b. If their parents divorce/separate? c. When a new baby arrives? What effects might these transitions have?

Learning for everyone… Activity Ø Reflect on the expected transitions that you have gone through in your life so far. Ø Think about the effects these transitions had on you. Ø What support did you get from others? Ø What more could have been done to help you cope? Ø As a practitioner, how could you support children and young people when they face similar transitions? Ø Record the main points of these in preparation for the professional discussion you will need to hold with your Tutor Ø (Assessment criterion 5. 1, 5. 2 & 5. 3).