Transition into secondary school
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The document discusses the complexities of the transition from childhood to secondary school, highlighting the biological and psychological changes during puberty that impact adolescents' emotional and social behaviors. It underscores the importance of social connections and support from parents and teachers in facilitating a smoother transition, while also addressing associated risks such as mental health issues. The need for effective communication, pastoral care strategies, and understanding gender differences in adjustment is emphasized for improving student well-being and academic success.
Transition into secondary school
- 1. Transition into Secondary School Parent Information Night
- 2. It is the Best of Times, It is the Worst of Times Tanya Dickenson School Counsellor Puberty
- 3. Puberty refers to the biological development processes by which a child’s body changes into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction It affects not only the body but also the brain, reorienting psychological processing of emotional and social stimuli Puberty – The defining transition from childhood to adulthood
- 4. Measures of most abilities indicate adolescence is the healthiest and most resilient period of the lifespan. From Childhood to Adolescence: Improvements in strength, speed, reaction time, mental reasoning abilities, Yet, more mental health issues arise in this time than any other. The Health Paradox of Adolescence
- 5. Primary causes of death and disability are related to problems with control of behaviour and emotion. Increasing rates of accidents, suicide, depression, alcohol & substance use, violence reckless behaviour, eating disorders, problems related to risky sexual behaviours…..
- 7. Youth are heated by Nature as drunken men by wine. Aristotle I would that there were no age between ten and twenty three…for there is nothing in between but getting wenches with child, wronging the ancientry, stealing, fighting… Shakespeare (The Winter’s Tale; Act III) Adolescence
- 8. That awkward period between sexual maturation and the attainment of adult roles and responsibilities. Sensation seeking Risk-taking Peer directed interactions These behaviours not only promote the skills necessary for independence bit also create greater vulnerability to emotional and behavioural dysregulation Adolescence
- 9. The dramatic historical change to earlier onset of puberty impacts not only the physical aspects of development but also the social experiences of young adolescents. The context of early adolescence in modern life
- 10. Changes in the Beginning of Adolescence
- 11. Developmental process out of synch
- 12. A set of core self regulation skills mature during this time, although more slowly than the emotional changes
- 13. Ability to control social and emotional behaviour Resistance to peer influence – lots of emotional work It’s like revving an engine but waiting for brain development. All revved up and nowhere to go! Emotional maturity is the ability to control and regulate Kids are having all of the emotions, they just don’t know what to do with them. Psychosocial Development
- 15. The emotional responses to the changes in sex steroids are still poorly understood All families and societies describe a marked change in children with respect to their relationships with the parents, peers and members of the opposite gender Violent events by males increase dramatically in adolescence Emotional and Social Changes in Puberty
- 16. Affects in Family Members
- 17. Often pubertal stage is more strongly associated with mental health outcomes than is age or other transitions (eg school) Puberty and Mental Health
- 18. Girls who go through puberty early, have a greater chance of developing depression Boys who go through puberty later, have a greater likelihood of developing depression Smaller – social stressors eg, not as strong, can’t physically do as much Girls are twice as likely as boys to develop depression during adolescence
- 19. Father Absence Early Life Stress Family stress early in life predicts early puberty in girls Prior Symptoms Children with higher levels of problems before puberty tend to have earlier puberty Determinants of Pubertal Timing
- 20. Puberty is associated with positive development and risks Early puberty is associated with increased risk for problems such as depression, especially in girls. Boys are more complex, with studies showing that both early and late puberty can increase risk in boys Implications
- 21. Adolescence do not sleep enough, however, when they do sleep, it’s good quality sleep Biologically, they prefer to go to bed later and get up later. Not sure if we will be changing the time school starts to accommodate them Peer group available 24/7 Increased risk of depression and suicide Kids become unmotivated to improve sleep Sleep
- 22. Students look forward to More freedom New challenges Other subjects Different teachers Opportunity to make new friends High School
- 23. The social hierarchy is reshuffled Students in schools with a formal transition program are less frequently bullied Small rural schools, where everyone knows each other - consequences Absence of physical transition, know the rules, teachers etc Absence of social network changes. They know the students. Settling in Socially
- 24. For students wellbeing and belonging, they need to connect with School Teachers Students Students connectedness in secondary school is a predictor of academic and health outcomes Decreased classroom and peer problems Decreased emotional problems Increased social skills Student Connectedness
- 25. Researchers in this area, suggest that for a smoother transition to high school, schools need to give priority to pastoral care strategies Rural students demonstrate a higher sense of belonging than their urban peers when transitioning to high school
- 26. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!!! You are their constant You are their best support Encourage them to learn from their mistakes Support their decisions (the good ones!) Encourage them to seek assistance when needed Share your experiences Do not be afraid to say NO! Parents
- 27. What is “transition”? ‘a period of change that can be both challenging and exciting, in which children and families adjust to new roles, identities and expectations, new interactions and new relationships’ (DEECD, 2011)
- 28. Why is all this important? Change is difficult. 11/12 year olds move from self-contained classrooms, to larger more diverse groups. There is an increase in expectations of students to be independent academic performers; changes to peer groups with concerns around social acceptance which can lead to low self- esteem Declines in academic performance giving rise to anxiety and depression levels. Transition is a social and academic turning point for adolescents.
- 29. Student Belonging and Well-being 1. Social connection is very important for adolescents. Positive outcomes in this area can lead to increased academic motivation. 2. Gender differences: girls’ difficulty around transition can be centred on the forming of new friendships; boys have difficulty negotiating the change in school setting. 3. Divorced/Separated families: girls from these families find making friends more difficult than boys, though they are better adjusted to the academic characteristics of transition. 4. Marston’s (2008) study found that boys struggled more with transition than girls. 5. Students look forward to more freedom, new challenges, other subjects, different teachers and the opportunity to make new friends. 6. Connectedness in secondary is a strong predictor of academic success
- 30. Support: Teachers and Parents Bru et. al (2010) suggests that: ‘Teachers’ ability to support students is a crucial element for quality learning environments. Students who feel supported by teachers are found to have positive motivational orientation to school work, and experience positive social and emotioal well-being (p.519-20)
- 31. Support: Peers Attendance at primary schools where friendships survive the move to secondary school have a profound effect on the how children settle into secondary school and how likely they are to form solid and stable friendships later in life (Weller, 2007). Social aspects of transition to secondary school often outweigh the significance of academic outcomes.
- 32. Social lives of adolescents: buckle up! It is expected: That teenagers’ relationships will be complex That teenagers will experience conflict in these relationships That some teenagers will experience some form of negative peer interaction – this is normal. That, initially, teenagers should be able to be given the opportunity to work this all out for themselves
- 33. Social world of Girls Social World Queen Bee Torn Bystander Target Champion Sidekick Banker Messenger Pleaser/ Wannabe
- 34. Social world of boys Interests Sport Technolo gy CulturalGirls Other Interests
- 35. Academic Outcomes Factors which affect academic outcomes: Participation in extra-curricular (positive engagement with school; increased commitment to school) Teacher bonding, popularity Positive social relationships are protective against low academic performance Participation in transition programs by both students and teachers
- 36. Family-school connectedness Dimensions of parent involvement: direct participation, academic encouragement and expectations of attainment. Pubertally advanced students need stronger authoritative boundaries than their less developed peers (Mothers are very important here). Smooth transition is aided by parents who: remain a constant support; monitor their child’s activities; intervene positively.
Editor's Notes
- #6: Completed suicides are high in boys than girls as their methods are usually more lethal.
- #9: Risk taking is normal and important. Adults try to decrease kids’ risky behaviour. Risk taking is developmentally important. Kids are going to take risk anyway. Need to be looking at what type of risks are ok. Provide appropriate and scaffolded risk opportunities. Outdoor activities They’ll partake in risky behaviour such as drinking – they’ll brag about it, got pissed, fell over, and spewed. That’s not anyone’s ides of fun, however, they’re bragging about the risk taking.
- #17: Adolescence feel positive around their friends, just not around you. Arguments - Greater frequency when younger but less severe Less frequent when older but more severe
- #24: The absence of physical and social changes in transition prevents students from developing lower self concepts, especially in academic and social self concepts.
- #27: You are their parent, not their friend. They need you more now than ever.