The Transition to School: Why Some Children Find It Harder Than Others

Many people recall starting school as a joyful milestone, complete with new routines, friends, and uniforms.
However, rather than being thrilling, the move to school can be overwhelming for a lot of kids.

Some kids get used to it soon. Some experience emotional distress, exhaustion, meltdowns, avoidance, or behavioural shifts. This indicates that the change is placing more demands on their evolving system than it can currently easily handle, not that something is "wrong."

Education Is a Significant Neurological Advancement

School requires children to manage far more than academic tasks. From day one, they are expected to:

• Sit for longer periods
• Follow group instructions
• Transition quickly between activities
• Tolerate noise, movement, and busy environments
• Regulate emotions without constant adult support
• Separate from familiar caregivers

This can feel like a full-time effort just to get by for kids whose executive function, motor abilities, sensory processing, or regulation are still developing.

The Most Effective Techniques for a Smooth Transition

A number of invisible pillars are necessary for smooth school transitions:

The Executive Function

• Focus and attention
• Control of impulses
• Working memory (keeping instructions in mind)
• Adaptability when plans alter

Emotional Regulation

• Control of Emotions
• Controlling strong emotions
• Managing annoyance
• Recovering from errors
• Making acceptable requests for assistance

Sensory Processing

• Managing crowds, noise, and visual stimuli
• Controlling bodily awareness in crowded areas
• Maintaining control in the face of continuous stimulation

Motor Foundations

• Core strength for sitting and posture
• Fine motor endurance for writing and tasks
• Gross motor coordination for playground play

If any of these foundations are fragile, a child may appear “not ready” — even if they are bright and capable.

🚩 Why Some Children Find the Transition Harder

Some kids are more susceptible to difficulties during transitions due to:

• Sensory sensitivities
• Immature self-regulation skills
• Uncertainty or difficulty adjusting to change
• Insufficient exposure to social environments
• Problems with motor coordination
• exhaustion from controlling effort throughout the day
• Anxiety or trouble separating

What adults perceive as conduct is frequently a child's way of communicating:

"My body and mind are currently struggling with this."

How This May Appear at Home and in School

Teachers and parents may observe:

• An increase in meltdowns following school
• Opposition to going to school
• Excessive fatigue or emotional outbursts
• Having trouble following directions
• Clinging or withdrawal
• Headache or stomach pain complaints

These are indicators of overburden rather than failure.

How Occupational Therapy Can Help

By fortifying the foundations that schools require, occupational therapy helps kids on a deeper level.

OT could focus on:

• Techniques for sensory modulation
• Improving executive function and focus
• Increasing endurance and postural control
• Developing coping mechanisms and emotional intelligence
• Establishing predictable routines and visual aids
• Providing educators and families with useful tactics

OT helps kids transition from just getting by in school to feeling competent and self-assured.

🪶A Kind Reminder🪶

Each child's nervous system grows at a different rate.
A challenging transition does not indicate that a youngster is unprepared; rather, it indicates that they require additional assistance rather than increased pressure.