How Drawing and Talking Supports Children with September Transition

The start of a new school year often brings excitement, but for many children it can also stir up anxiety, uncertainty, and emotional overwhelm. New teachers, classrooms, routines, and social groups can feel daunting; particularly for children who already find change challenging. This is where Drawing and Talking can play a gentle and powerful role in supporting transition.

1. A Safe Space for Expression

Drawing and Talking gives children a structured, predictable time each week to explore their feelings in a safe and non-intrusive way. Through drawing, children can externalise worries about the unknown—whether that’s making new friends, being separated from a familiar adult, or coping with academic expectations. The regularity of the sessions provides a sense of stability at a time when much else may feel uncertain.

2. Building Emotional Readiness

Transition requires emotional resilience. By engaging in Drawing and Talking, children learn to process feelings of anxiety, fear, or sadness at their own pace. Rather than bottling up emotions or acting out in behaviour, they have a healthy outlet. This helps them arrive in the classroom calmer, more settled, and ready to learn.

3. Strengthening Relationships

The trusting, consistent relationship between the child and practitioner is central to the process. For children facing new environments and adults, having one secure relationship during transition can provide reassurance. Over time, this trust supports the child in building confidence to form new relationships with teachers and peers.

4. Encouraging a Narrative of Change

Children often need help making sense of transitions. Through their drawings and stories, they can create a narrative about what’s happening in their lives—moving from one year group to the next, adjusting to new routines, or even managing the leap to a new school. This narrative-building supports healthy adjustment and reduces feelings of chaos or unpredictability.

5. Supporting the Whole Child

Transitions aren’t just academic; they affect wellbeing, friendships, and self-esteem. Drawing and Talking acknowledges the child’s inner world, helping them feel heard and understood. When children feel emotionally supported, they are more likely to engage positively with learning and social opportunities.

In summary: Drawing and Talking offers children a gentle, non-directive way to process their feelings during times of change. By creating a safe space, building emotional readiness, and supporting trust, it helps children navigate transitions with greater confidence—ensuring the new school year can be a time of growth rather than stress.