Transition from Pre-School to Primary School

How excited my little one was today for his interview at the 'BIG SCHOOL".

Transition from the Pre-school to a primary school is definitely a big step for all the kids. But I guess it’s more of a challenge for me as a mother. My son seems all set to get into his new role. He is excited. He says “I am a big boy". But I am still thinking…

Has my little baby actually grown into a big boy who is all set for this transition?

I have been talking to so many parents and colleagues about him. What is their opinion about the child going to school? Will the child feel actually pressurised by the system of ‘BIG’ school education? Should they play for another year at pre-school and gain a little more maturity level?

And the most important of all “Will I be ready next year to send him to school or will I face the same anxiety?”

The questions in my mind are endless and so are the opinions. Some suggest that it’s better to keep your child back till he turns complete 6. Some suggest that since the government has marked the entry age as 5 so that means it’s perfectly fine to send him to school.

Well my husband convinced me. I spoke to his pre-school teachers. They all had the opinion that he was school ready. But the mother in me is still anxious.

So I filled up his form and here comes the day when I, my husband and my little baby have been called for an interview at the big school.

My son is very excited. He had a session at his pre-school with the Rangers. So he made a possum house. He was excited to show the possum house to the principal and everyone at the school. Well he was much liked and appreciated by everyone.

Well the interview began. The teacher asked a lot of questions about him. Then came the question at him. “Do you know counting?” very confidently he answered “till infinity”. I was amazed at my little boy knowing such big concepts.

That moment I felt that my little boy is actually a grown up. He is not shy talking to new people. He knows how to put his thoughts forward and he doesn’t need me to poke him for any conversation. He was able to handle the conversation nicely.

The teacher was convinced and commented that she feels an intelligent boy is making his way to the school.

I think it takes time for you to absorb that your younger child is also growing.

Well I have prepared myself for this transition. Your kids make you learn so much in life. Each child is different and needs to be dealt differently.No set parameters can decide the right age for your child to make the transition from pre-school to primary school. We as mothers need to decide whether the child is ready or not. We need to look into several factors to check the school readiness for the child. Talk a lot with your child to judge his readiness. Is your child able to manage basic thing by himself? The child should be able to communicate his views to people other than his parents. In case the child is shy we need to prepare the child to talk out his difficulties in various situations. As a mother we need to give that confidence in the child that he will be safe in the new primary school and in case of any problem he can always speak up to the teacher or his family. 

 I hope this decision turns out as a good one for my BIG boy.