The good news is that, compared to the transition to first grade, the transition to second grade is already relatively easy. While first grade and kindergarten were vastly different in many ways, second grade is in many ways similar to first grade. The biggest differences between first grade and second grade really have to do with the actual content that is taught to students, rather than how it is taught or what is expected of students. Still, there are some things that you can do to insure that the transition to second grade is an easy one.

The first thing that you can do to make the transition to second grade easy is to make sure that your future second grader is reading. While a beginning second grader is not expected to be reading in an exceptional way, she will nevertheless be expected to be reading. By reading with your child over the summer in between second grade and first grade, by encouraging her to read for both information and for pleasure, and by specifically helping her with reading difficulties, you are helping to insure that the transition to second grade will be relatively easy.

In addition, you will want to make sure that your child knows what to expect in the second grade. You might, if possible, try to visit the new teacher at the end of first grade. In some schools, teachers actually begin working in the school building the week before school starts, so you may be able to arrange a visit at that time. In addition, you should find out what sorts of school or classroom rules will be in place, and discuss these with the child. Helping the child know what to expect and to know what will be expected of him is an essential part of making an easy second grade transition.

Finally, you want to make sure that your child has the supplies that she needs. A sturdy backpack, plenty of paper and pencils, an art supplies box with crayons, glue, scissors and a rule are all an excellent thing to start with. In many cases, schools or individual teachers will have prepared a school supplies list that you can get ahead of time. When it is time to get those supplies, make your child an integral part of finding what he needs. In this way, you help him to feel like he has some say in his second grade experience, thereby making the transition more easy.

Posted in School Issues

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