Researchers surveyed parents in Hong Kong to understand how schools' transition practices affected children's readiness for primary school and their mental health. The study looked at different family backgrounds, including families with varying income levels and parental education.
Hong Kong and Singapore share similar education systems and family dynamics, making these findings directly relevant to how you can support your child through the kindergarten-to-primary transition.
Curriculum and routine practices boost overall readiness
Schools use three main types of transition support. Two of them—teaching children about the new curriculum and familiarising them with school routines and administration—showed strong links to overall school readiness. These practices help children know what to expect and feel less anxious about the physical and academic changes ahead.
Home-school collaboration practices, like parent workshops, had a narrower effect: they specifically helped children develop self-management skills (managing their time, organising themselves, following instructions), but didn't boost readiness across the board.
Emotional skills matter more than academics for mental health
The study's most striking finding was that a child's ability to manage emotions and behaviour was the strongest predictor of good mental health after transition. Children who could handle frustration, cooperate with peers, and regulate their feelings had significantly lower rates of anxiety and depression when entering primary school.
This challenges the common Singapore parent focus on academic preparation alone. While knowing how to read and do maths matters, a child's emotional toolkit—how they cope with stress, respond to setbacks, and interact with others—may be more protective against the mental health challenges of transition.
Transition support makes the biggest difference for lower-income families
Transition practices had an even stronger impact on school readiness for families with lower incomes and parents with secondary education or below. This suggests that structured, intentional transition support can narrow gaps—but only if families have access to it.
The implication for Singapore is clear: ensure transition programmes reach all families, not just those who can afford private tutoring or enrichment classes. If your family faces financial constraints, ask your child's kindergarten and primary school directly what transition support they provide. Don't assume you need to buy extra preparation.
Help your child prepare emotionally for primary school
- Work on emotional regulation at home: practise naming feelings and calming strategies so your child can handle the new environment's demands.
- Ask the school what routine and curriculum information they provide—and use it to prepare your child through conversation and play.
- Attend any school transition programmes offered, especially if your family would benefit from structured support and guidance.