Transitions
Children and young people go through many transitions in their lives. Common transitions include:
- starting school
- moving from primary to secondary school
- leaving school and moving into young adulthood
- entering further and higher education
- starting work.
Transitions can affect young people's health in many ways. Times of transition and change mark important beginnings and endings and can generate feelings of uncertainty, vulnerability and fear. Evidence shows that transitions often result in changes in lifestyle and a decrease in physical activity.
Primary to secondary school
Children who have progressed confidently through their primary school education often experience setbacks when they move on to secondary school, which:
- is much bigger
- has a larger number of staff
- requires children to work with many different teachers
- includes fewer familiar faces and friends
- has a different culture and ethos.
The move to secondary school takes place at puberty, when changes in body image can impact on confidence and self-esteem.
Many young people's participation in physical activity drops at this time. Research has shown that this is due to:
- feelings of inadequacy
- self-consciousness about abilities and body image
- changes in the way physical activity is presented
- less active travelling to school: this can become more difficult because young people may have to travel greater distances; in addition, there is increased influence from peers at this age.
What can schools do to help?
Help and support can be given to children and young people by providing them with every opportunity to:
- make choices about the type of physical activity available to them
- discuss clothing and kit required for PE lessons
- ensure that changing and showering facilities are sufficiently private
- offer extra-curricular opportunities for physical activity that can involve parents and families
- work with the school travel coordinator to provide opportunities to actively travel to school
- strengthen self-esteem
- develop confidence
- express feelings and views
- understand more about the things they might experience
- find out where to get help and support.
Marking transitions
Providing routines and rituals that ease, mark and even celebrate transitions can help create a more positive experience and assist with preparation for moving on. Opportunities to reflect on what has happened and what can be taken forward can also be helpful.
Active Schools coordinators have been involved with setting up transition activity and sport clubs involving P7 pupils and secondary pupils. Some use senior secondary pupils as leaders and coaches for the activities.
Some secondary schools also send their PE staff to work with the P7 pupils before they make the transition. This helps to give the pupils confidence and understanding about what they will experience in secondary PE.
Useful resource
'Growing through Adolescence' is an evidence-based Continuing Professional Development (CPD) tool for teachers, which looks at the complex areas around healthy eating for young people by taking a whole school approach. It also looks at physical activity, food and their role during adolescence. Further information on this free resource, and training to support it, is available from Health Scotland. See the Growing through Adolescence resource page for more information.
