1. Managing Expectations

2. Introduction Final year of primary school
Important exam at the end of the year - Increased work load and study
Pressure to perform well
Period of transition to high school

3. What are our expectations this year?
High expectations - boys, parents, teachers, relatives
Good performance in KCPE according to ability and effort
Get a good high school- make it back to Strathmore?
Well rounded boys - academically, physically, spiritually, socially

4. What are our expectations this year?
Development of personal responsibility and confidence
More independent and develop ability to take care of themselves
More discerning - able to decide for themselves not always relying on peers

5. Challenges Additional workload- revision, CATs
Conflicting advice- parents, elder siblings, teachers, tutors, relatives
Pressure to perform well- parents, teachers, students
Fear of the monster- If you fail, you are done. Life sentence?

6. Challenges Time management Last minute preparation
Tough choices between sports/play and study
Lack of motivation and will power to study
Distractions- TV, Music, Phones (Whatsapp groups, Instagram), Play Station (Fortnite, Apex Legends)

7. What can we do as parents? Do’s
Time with our children
Talk about your day and their day – helps understand our reality.
Listen to their opinion and consider their options. Discuss pros and cons. Helps to develop critical thinking.
Will pass on our values as we interact

8. Do’s
Affirm our children- acknowledge little steps towards improvement.
Nurture other aspects not only academics – boosts their self esteem. Not all children are A students.
Appreciate the child’s strong points- loving, responsible

9. Study Conducive environment-
Develop a schedule- to give attention on all subjects.
Remove the distractions- Take away the laptop/ phone. Ban Fortnite!
Avoid disruptions during study- parties, visitors
Have breaks- 10 minutes every hour or two hours.

10. Study Techniques of studying Do they have notes- complete notes?
Revision notes
Flash cards
Mind maps
Past papers
Go over the work severally
Track performance and reevaluate progress

11. What else can we do? Goal setting- academics, order. Lesson for life.
Encourage them to pursue something they enjoy – break from study
Develop personal responsibility
Develop critical thinking

12. Don’ts
Do not compare- with other siblings, friends, classmates, yourself
Comparing encourages vicious competition - success is not measured by academic standards alone
Avoid criticism- destroys and lowers self esteem

13. What do we demand from our children?

14. The Stress Curve Performance Overstressed Under-stressed Burnout
Breakdown
Developed by Dr. Jonathan Moch
Stress Level

15. Manifestations of excessive stress
Anxiety, irritability
Loss of concentration, daydreaming, insomnia- lack of sleep
Poor appetite
Introverted & withdrawn
Other medical problems-headaches, ulcers, constipation, diarrhea

16. Preparing for results Before results come out, they may be anxious
Any worries after the exams makes NO difference.
Be realistic about your child’s performance
Consider moderation of results
Our child’s reaction to his results depends on the pressure from himself and us.

17. Preparing for the results
Celebrate that your child has passed.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If they do worse than expected, have options.
Even if you are disappointed, don’t show it. Forge the way forward

18. Choice of high school
Important discussion between parents and children
What are your child’s expectations?
What attributes are you looking for in a school?
Boarding vs day school – have we prepared them for this?
Consult widely- feedback from other parents, teachers, students
Visit the school with your child – marketing can paint a entirely different picture

19. Transition to high school
Same school- sense of achievement and sometimes they tend to relax.
Changing schools- May be happy to change. If not;
Help them accept the change
Be open to new friends and teachers

20. Preparing for high school
Manage their time - Increased number of subjects with more workload
Be responsible for themselves - doing their own laundry
Other challenges- type of food (many requests for special diet), cold showers, hygiene

21. After KCPE Manage the time well- shouldn’t be idle
Involved in house chores, taking care of younger siblings
Other interests- reading, learning/ improving on playing a music instrument
Caution on some externally organized activities

22. Conclusion
Period of transition for our sons from primary to high school, childhood to young adulthood.
Walk with them to help them develop into all rounded boys
Ultimate goal of raising children is not success in academics
True happiness doesn’t depend on material things or external events but what is inside us