Why Term 4 is important for your child

Term 4, the last term of the Australian school year. It can often feel like we are just getting through that final term – everyone is tired, the lead up to the end of year can be exhausting with end of year concerts, events, Christmas parties etc etc etc. And school somehow continues along. As our kids’ energy starts to flag, we resort to encouraging, cajoling, and pushing them to continue on ‘til the end of term.

So why is Term 4 important for our children, and how can we use it to best benefit our kids.

Important learning occurs in Term 4

For starters, of course, the school year is made up of four terms and those four terms are all required to get through the curriculum for each year level. There is important learning and consolidation of learning that happens in Term 4.

For many children, Term 4 is when the learning they have done during the year really consolidates and they feel a sense of confidence in their abilities.

This is a great term to really allow your child to highlight their learning, remember all the things they have learnt through the year and see how far they have come. Children can get a fantastic sense of satisfaction and pride in what they have achieved.

Can be an enjoyable term socially

Term 4 is also often a great term socially for children. Not always, as friendships can be tricky at times, but often. Children have often settled into their social circle and their class make up and can tend to feel more comfortable in their social surroundings. This can feel really good. Anxieties related to friendships and playtimes are often lower, and there is a more relaxed engagement socially at recess and lunch times. 

Preparing for transition to new class and teacher

Another important thing that happens towards the end of Term 4 is that students are allocated their class and teacher for the following year. For high school students they will, of course, have a range of subjects and teachers, and for primary students, they will generally have one teacher and be with the same classmates for the full year. Many children feel anxious about this and so it is really important that we help our children to process this and cope effectively with whatever happens.

This could look like preparing younger children for this (if they are in their first year of school, they won’t be aware that this happens, so helping them to understand that this will happen and it will be a positive thing), and talking through why children change classes and why it is a good thing.

When talking to our children about class transitions, it is also useful to acknowledge that it is normal to feel a bit nervous or unsure when you move to a new class and that it takes a few days or weeks to feel really comfortable with the new teacher and classmates.

If you are new to the school or have forgotten your school’s process for class transitions, check in with your child’s teacher as to how it happens at your child’s school. (Note: most schools try to keep each child with a couple of their friends in their new class.)

Celebrations

Term 4 is also the term of celebrations. Celebrations of learning that has happened throughout the year, sharing that learning with parents through concerts, exhibitions, open days etc. This is such a special time for children, being able to take pride and share their learning and special work.

So, let’s remember to keep our kids well-rested and keep them powering through all of Term 4. It is a great term with important learning still going on, and not only that, but it can really cap off the year beautifully, as well as provide a great springboard into next year for our kids.