The transition to school is a big one and for both parents and students is a giant step into the unknown. There are a whole range of experiences and emotions that students will be exposed to and how to we best support our children through this and process all of this as parents.

Kim Gwatking is a parent and teacher who has been supporting students with this transition for almost a decade. She has helped students to feel comfortable and confident in the classroom as they begin their schooling experience and has a range of experience and strategies in having a successful and enjoyable beginning to the early years.

Kim is now on the other end of this experience as her eldest daughter now gets ready to start school for the first time. Throughout this episode we get to speak with Kim about what the preparation has been like for them as a family and what they are both looking forward to and bracing for as they get ready to explore the next chapter of their families educational journey.

Throughout the conversation we discuss building confidence and independence in students who are starting school, what different challenges may look like and how we can prepare our children or discuss with them ways they can problem solve different situations and what it is like for our children to begin building a world and an identity outside of the family home.

A very interesting and insightful conversation that is really helpful in supporting our children to have a positive and enjoyable start to school!