SCHOOL transition will be in the spotlight at a Bendigo Psychology workshop later this month.
Psychologists will present “Helping the Anxious Child Transition to School” in a bid to educate parents and carers about anxiety.
Clinical psychologist Shona Innes said participants would learn about why school transition could be a difficult time, when anxiety was “normal” and when a child’s anxiety required special treatment.
She said the workshop was designed for parents or carers of children starting primary school.
“It’s about helping parents to map out things that could prevent major meltdowns,” she said.
“I’ll be explaining what anxiety is and one of my colleagues will talk about what’s available at schools to help.
“It’s important that people understand that there will be anxiety.
“That’s perfectly OK.
“It’s only when it becomes extreme that we need to do something about it.”
Ms Innes said school transition was a pivotal milestone in a child’s life.
She said it could be difficult for some children, and parents, too, could sometimes worry about how their child will manage the transition from home or kinder to school.
Workshop participants will be given ideas about how best to prepare their child for the change.
“There is much that can be done to assist anxious children to get off to a good start at school,” Ms Innes said.
“One of the most important things is for parents to manage their anxiety about the transition.
“They can also help by starting to get their child into a routine around school.
“So perhaps as the school holidays start to draw to a close and the start of school edges closer they could do things like get their child to eat lunch out of a lunchbox.
“What’s important for anxious kids is creating a routine.
“It creates a scaffolding around us during times when we’re not quite sure what’s happening.”
The workshop will be at Bendigo Psychology on January 21 at 7pm.
Tickets cost $45. To find out more about the workshop or to secure a place, phone Bendigo Psychology on 5443 2284 or email admin@bendigopsychology.com.au