October 6th 2024
Preparing for the Senior School Process When Your Child is Young
Choosing a new school for your child as they transition from Moulsford at the end of Year 8 is a significant decision that can often cause anxiety for parents. At Moulsford, we are dedicated to guiding both parents and children through this process, drawing on our extensive experience with a large number of senior schools.
While Year 5 is a key time to focus on this transition, there are several steps you can begin taking when your child is younger—many of which we encourage as part of their overall development.
1. Engage with Current Affairs:
Staying informed about the world is beneficial, but much of the regular news may not be suitable for younger audiences. Fortunately, there are child-friendly news sources you can discuss together:
2. Build Confidence in Communication:
Encouraging your child to speak with unfamiliar adults is invaluable and is an important skill to develop for senior school interviews. Here are some practical ways to foster this skill:
- Have your child ask for the bill at a restaurant.
- Encourage them to engage with adult friends and family at home.
- Let them take charge of purchasing tickets at a train station or items in a shop.
- Ask open-ended questions about their day, such as “What was the best part of your day?” this will encourage more of a detailed response than “Did you have a good day?”
3. Prioritise Reading:
Reading is the most crucial activity you can engage in with your child. Share books together, explore audiobooks, and introduce graphic novels. Encourage them to read everything from safety instructions on flights to stories that captivate their interest. Discuss their favourite authors and genres, and model your own enjoyment of reading.
We are fortunate to have Ali Manning as our school librarian, who is eager to help children discover books that resonate with them - please do feel free to email Ali for assistance. If your child isn't currently enthusiastic about reading, they may just need help finding the right book. Enjoy the journey of exploration together!
