By THOMAS CORDELL
Special to the Sun-Gazette
We now can take a brief moment and breathe for a bit and reflect on the experiences our children have had over this past school year.
Many students are headed on vacations, summer camps and other daily activities for their summer vacation. There are many students who will be remediating a course this summer to fulfill their required credits.
A larger group of students will make the transition from middle school to the world of high school.
For some, this is as easy as waking up in the morning and heading to the ninth grade. However, there are many students who will feel ill-prepared and develop some social and academic anxiety.
In this article, I would like to explore some basic actions that we, as parents, can do to assist our young men and women in the transfer to the "big leagues."
The first thing we, as parents, must do is to realize that not all students are alike and that each child develops socially, physically and academically at their own rate of speed.
It is imperative that we keep this in mind while giving encouragement to our child as he or she takes the next step in their schooling.
We also must remember that our child is leaving a school that they have become accustomed to and held the highest level of seniority.
Now they must move to a level where they are starting at the bottom of the seniority ladder. This transformation can be an excellent time to educate our children on how real-life experiences in the work force are very similar.
Life is all about changing and having to start at new levels from time to time.
This parent-to-child interaction may be one that puts the transfer to high school into a different perspective.
So what else can be done to aid in a healthy transition to high school? As parents, we need to make sure that we know the date for any orientations that your high school maybe offering.
These are great opportunity's to learn about the daily routine, class scheduling and what the expectations are from the teaching staff.
Take some time and ask your child what they may be nervous or have anxiety about.
It is better to speak about these items before the first day of high school arrives. Encourage your child to start reviewing some basic content regarding their upcoming courses.
Summer is a great time to get ahead of the "summer slide" and work on some basic academic concepts. It is even beneficial to speak with your child about their expectations of high school. This can be an excellent time to examine the reality of what they are expecting as a freshman.
This is a crucial time period for incoming freshman and, whether they realize or admit to it, they are looking for guidance and support from their family and school.
Realizing that there may be more than an academic adjustment is key. Try to pay close attention to the psychosocial factors that enter into a transformation such as this one. They are just as important as the academic portion.
It also is summer, so enjoy the time with your child and give them all of the support that they may need.
Cordell is the owner of Excell Tutoring Services, 1020 Arthur Road, Montoursville. He may be reached at 506-9998 or twcordell@gmail.com.
