Written by Angela Gaitas, Upper Elementary Social Worker

Springtime is a time for transitions, the transition from the cold of winter into warmer weather, the transition from the school year into summer break, and for some students, the beginning of the transition from lower elementary to upper elementary and from upper elementary to adolescents. This can be a time of great excitement and growth for a lot of students, and for many, it can also feel overwhelming and a little scary.

Families can help support this adjustment to change by supporting their students in the following ways:

Change is hard - And yet we experience so much of it as human beings! Reassure your children that even though change is scary, it is also an opportunity for growth and learning. Remind them of other times when they have experienced changes that felt challenging, how they were resilient, overcame obstacles and thrived in the end.
Embrace the excitement- Framing the transition in a positive light can go a long way with helping to support your student. Talk about all the things that they have to look forward to in this next stage of life or recall some of your own moments of growth when you were their age.
Talk through the worry- It is okay for your child to mourn the loss of their last classroom. For many students in Montessori, they have just been through a three year classroom cycle with many of the same classmates and oftentimes, the same guides. It can feel overwhelming to be thrown into an unfamiliar situation where they have to make new friends, get to know their guides and learn the new norms, routines and schedules of their class/es. Help support them by talking through their worries and fear, validate and normalize those feelings, and reassure them that you will be there to work through anything that feels hard.
Remember, that we are all on the same team. If you ever feel like you need additional support or have questions or concerns about how your child is adjusting to the school transition, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Great River staff/guides/social workers. We are here to support your student(s) through these transitions and we’re happy to help support students with the transition.