Navigating the tricky transition from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2
The move from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2 can feel like a big jump. Suddenly, children are expected to work more independently, think more critically and manage larger amounts of information. This doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Here are five practical ways to ease the transition and help your child feel confident as they step into KS2:
1. Encourage Curiosity Over Correctness
KS2 brings new challenges, but it’s also full of exciting opportunities for deeper thinking. Focus less on getting everything ‘right’ and more on exploring ideas. If your child asks ‘Why?’, lean into it. Open-ended questions and creative tasks help them express ideas in their own words. While the work does become more complex, children are also developing new ways to learn. They’re building independence, thinking critically and making creative connections. Children should enjoy this stretch in challenge rather than fear it.
2. Build Vocabulary, Not Pressure
As reading and writing become more advanced, vocabulary plays a key role in helping children understand, express and explore new ideas. But learning new words should not feel like a test. Talk about interesting words when you come across them in books or conversations. Use tools like Vocabulatree to dig into the origin of a word or play the Word Sneak game by slipping in an unexpected word into conversation. Keeping it light and playful builds confidence and helps children use new vocabulary naturally and creatively.
3. Practise Independence
KS2 encourages children to take on more responsibility. Help build this step by step. They might start by packing their own bag, choosing which homework to tackle first or setting up a checklist for their week. These small routines teach time management and ownership without overwhelming them. Remember to praise the effort, not just the outcome as it’s about building long-term habits. Encouraging children to make choices, plan ahead and reflect on how they work best, helps them become more confident thinkers
4. Conversation builds confidence
As children move into KS2, they’re also learning how to manage emotions, tackle setbacks and find their voice. Regular conversations at home can play a huge role in helping them feel grounded and understood. Talk about their day - not just what they learned, but how they felt about it. When children are encouraged to reflect, they become more aware of how they learn, not just what they learn. Celebrate small wins and normalise mistakes. Share your own challenges from the day to show that everyone learns through trial and error. These everyday conversations help build emotional resilience, a vital part of making the leap into more independent learning.
5. Keep Creativity Alive
KS2 doesn’t mean the end of imagination and play, in fact, it’s the perfect time to nurture it. Whether through writing stories, asking ‘what if’ questions or exploring topics from new angles, creativity strengthens problem-solving, empathy and flexible thinking. This stage gives children space to think beyond the page. Encourage their ideas - they’re learning to think in bold, original ways.
Keep Skills Fresh
The summer holidays are the perfect time to gently bridge the gap between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Whether your child is joining a new school or stepping into a Year 3 class with a broader intake, keeping curiosity, confidence and creativity alive over the break can make all the difference. A little learning, through reading, word games or creative tasks, helps children stay connected to the skills they’ve built, so they return in September feeling reassured and ready.
We have limited places available for our 1:1 Booster Blocks aimed specifically at supporting children as they transition into Key Stage 2. If you’d like to discuss how we can advise you or support your child, please email us at info@linkythinks.com.