Transitioning into Year 2 is an exciting milestone for both students and parents. The foundational skills acquired in the first year are now ready to be built upon, and new academic and social challenges will arise. Your child has now entered an important stage of their primary school experience: this is the year of the Key Stage 1 (KS1) end-of-year attainment tests known as SATs, which mark the end of their KS1 journey.
For many parents, this can feel like an emotional time, as their child prepares for their first formal testing and reaches the end of their stage as an infant. While you do need to be mindful of the end goal for this year, it is also important to see it for the wonderful year that it is. This final year of KS1 will see your child being encouraged to work more independently. At this age, most children will have improved their ability to coordinate movement, and their language and speech will be increasingly complex and grammatically correct. It’s an exciting year for children, parents, and teachers.
What is Year 2?
In schools in England, Year 2 is designed for children aged 6-7 and marks the final year of Key Stage 1. Throughout this year, the focus remains on phonics, while further developing skills in writing and maths. Students will explore new concepts, build writing stamina, and be encouraged to work more independently in preparation for their transition to Year 3.
Changes in the transition to year 2
The transition between Year 1 to Year 2 can be hard for students in the following ways:
- Increased academic expectations: Year 2 typically involves a step up in academic demands. Children are expected to build on the foundational skills learned in Year 1, and this can be overwhelming. The introduction of more complex concepts in subjects like maths and writing can be daunting for young learners.
- Preparation for standardised testing: Year 2 is the year of the Key Stage 1 (KS1) SATs in England, which can introduce a new level of pressure. This formal assessment can be stressful for both students and parents, who may worry about performance and readiness. At Educate Excellence we support all students by building up their exam technique in class, starting from Year 2.
- More independence: In Year 2, children are often encouraged to work more independently. This shift from the more guided learning environment of Year 1 can be difficult for some students, who may still need considerable support and reassurance.
- Increased social and emotional demands: As children grow older, social dynamics can become more complex. Developing new friendships, resolving conflicts, and navigating the social landscape of the classroom can present new challenges. Emotional resilience becomes increasingly important.
- Longer lessons and more homework: The structure of the school day may change, with longer periods of focused work and possibly more homework. Adjusting to this new routine can be difficult for children who are used to the more play-based approach of Year 1. At Educate Excellence we support all children with their homework and gradually build up their workloadwork load as they progress through the years.
- Changing teaching styles: Teachers in Year 2 may adopt different teaching styles and expectations compared to those in Year 1. This can require children o adapt to new methods of instruction and classroom management, which can be unsettling.
- Higher expectations for self-management: There is often a higher expectation for children to manage their own materials, follow more complex instructions, and take responsibility for their learning. This increased responsibility can be a significant adjustment.
- Enhanced reading and writing demands: In Year 2, there is a greater emphasis on reading fluency and writing stamina. Children are expected to read longer texts and write more extensively, which can be challenging as they are for those still developing these skills. At Educate Excellence we encourage students to read more with our ‘Reading Book Club’ scheme. We also provide a variety of creative writing tasks for children to complete each week.
- Physical and cognitive development: Children develop at different rates, and the transition period may coincide with significant growth spurts or cognitive changes. These physical and mental developments can impact a child’s ability to adapt to new academic and social demands.
All these changes can be a lot for a child, but there are things you can do to make the upcoming year easier:
Strategies to use in the transition to Year 2
1. Help Them Understand What They Read.
Reading comprehension is crucial in Year 2. To support your child:
- Ask Questions: Engage with their reading by asking questions about the plot, such as “What might happen next?”, “Why do you think the character is feeling sad?”, and “What sort of mood is being created?”. This will deepen their understanding of what they are reading beyond surface level.
- Read Aloud Together: Reading aloud to your child remains important. Point out punctuation and explain how it changes the way text is read. Use different voices to demonstrate how sentence types and punctuation affect reading. At Educate Excellence we read aloud as a class to promote self-confidence and to support their reading journey.
2. Explore Real-Life Maths
Utilise everyday situations to practice math skills:
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- Shopping: Involve your child in paying for goods and calculating change to develop reasoning and problem-solving skills.
- Telling Time: Teach your child to tell time, especially in five-minute increments, reinforcing their understanding of the 5 times-tables.
3. Encourage Independence
Foster independence by encouraging your child to:
- Self-Manage: Get dressed on their own and organiseorganize their belongings. This builds self-reliance and prepares them for greater responsibilities in school. At Educate Excellence we do not only teach the curriculum but we also teach our students how to keep be organised during lessons, equipping them with life-skills for the future.
4. Talk About Change
Discussing change can help children manage and work through their fears so that they become less daunting:
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- Conversations: Start early and have frequent discussions about what to expect in Year 2. Our tutors and PLOs (Parent Liaison Officers) are happy to talk to parents who are unsure of what to expect. too.
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- Past Adaptations: Remind them of past changes they’ve successfully navigated, like starting school or moving houses, to reinforce their resilience.
- Storytelling: Use stories like “Jake’s First Day” and “The Cautious Caterpillar” to help children express and understand their feelings about transitions.
5. Pre-empt and Plan for Challenges
Identify and address potential concerns to reduce children’s fears:
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- Common Concerns: Discuss potential worries such as new teachers and new classrooms.
- Preparation: Address these concerns to boost your child’s confidence and readiness for the upcoming changes. For example, you may want to ask your child what worries they have regarding their new teacher, and talk through these.
6. Have a Q&A Session
Provide your child with Facilitate a platform for your child to ask questions:
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- Question Lists: Allow your child to compile a list of questions for their new teacher, who can respond in writing, in person or through a video message.
- Peer Interaction: Encourage your child to ask questions to pupils in their new teacher’s current class for first-hand insights.
7. Monitor Progress and Communicate with Teachers
Keep regular close and regula contact with teachers. Stay informed: Attend parent-teacher conferences and maintain regular communication with teachers. If any academic issues arise, work collaboratively with the school to address them promptly. Parents are also encouraged to ask their tutors at Educate Excellence for their progress and weekly reports are sent out to parents too.
8. Encourage Socialisation
Promote playing and socialising:
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- Get involved in the school community: Attend school events, volunteer in the classroom, and join parent-teacher associations. Being an active participant in the school community shows your child that their education is a priority and provides valuable support.
- Provide opportunities for your child to interact with peers outside of school: Where possible, arrange playdates, enrol them in group activities, and encourage participation in community events. These experiences help develop social skills and friendships.
Throughout Year 2, your child will dive into a world of knowledge, exploring various exciting topics in Maths, English, and Science. Here’s a sneak peek at what they’ll discover:
Year 2 Maths: Counting, Shapes, and More!
In Year 2 Maths, your child will embark on a journey of numbers and shapes:
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- Adding and subtracting two-digit numbers: Simple math magic!
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- Times tables: Focusing on the 2,5- and 10-times tables.
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- Spotting simple fractions: Exploring fractions with shapes and quantities.
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- Measuring, weighing, length and telling time: Using standard units and clocks to 5 minutes.
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- Describing properties of 2D and 3D shapes: Discovering the world of geometry.
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- Data handling methods: Understanding bar charts and pictograms.
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- Number bonds to 20: More numbers!
Year 2 English: Reading, Writing, and Phonics Fun!
Year 2 English is all about building confidence and creativity:
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- Phonics mastery: Students will be introduced to further exception words, noting the unusual relationship between spelling and sound and where these occur.
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- Reading stories and poems: Composing a narrative about their own experiences.
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- Spelling practice: Learning words with familiar sounds.
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- Handwriting skills: Joining up letters.
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- Storytelling: Sequencing sentences into short stories and writing diary entries.
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- Punctuation basics: Using capital letters, full stops, question marks, and exclamation marks.
- Grammar: Understanding nouns, adjectives, adverbs, suffix, subordination, noun phrases, past and present tense.
Year 2 Science: Exploring the Natural World!
In Year 2 Science, kids become young explorers:
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- Plants and their life cycles: Identifying and naming plants and studying their structure.
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- Animals, including humans and their basic needs: Learning about different animals and their groups.
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- Everyday materials: Investigating the properties of various materials.
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- Living things and their habitats: Understanding nature
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- Working scientifically: Carrying out investigations
How can Educate Excellence help?
Here at Educate Excellence we can help ease the transition for both parents and children. Our sessions bridge the gap between year 1 and Year 2. You can find all your child’s resources on the portal and if you or your child have any anxiety around starting the new school year our tutors are always here to help. Please either contact Fayas the head of education or your child’s personal tutor.
Transitioning into Year 2 is a significant step in a child’s educational journey.
By focusing on both academic and social skills, students can thrive in this new environment. For students, developing organisational habits, embracing a growth mindset, and engaging actively in class are key strategies for success. Parents play a crucial role by creating a supportive learning environment, encouraging reading, and encouraging fostering positive social behaviours. With these tips in mind, both students and parents can look forward to a successful and enjoyable Year 2!