The following strategies can help a child prepare for the transition into a new school:

1. Develop a social story about the new school – gather as many pictures of the new school and its environment as possible. Each page should have a sentence explaining the picture that is relevant to the child

2. Visual calendar – develop fun and colourful calendar that the child can refer to each day. Ensure the school start date is clearly marked on the calendar. Cross out each day as the new school day approaches so that the child is well prepared

3. Try to learn as many teachers’ names as possible and ask for photos of them. Use these visuals to teach the child their teachers’ names. Help the child respond to questions such as, “What is your teacher’s name?” or “What is your principal’s name?

4. Take lots of photos of the new school environment including the playground, classroom, library, bathrooms, etc. Show these photos to the child regularly and teach labels. This will help the child familiarise themselves with the school grounds and even decrease feelings of anxiety

5. Take the child to visit the school as much as possible to aid familiarisation. Play games around the schoolyard and/or talk positively about the school. This will help the child learn to make positive associations with the school environment