The FHO Framework: 3 Simple Steps to a Stress-Free School Start
A practical approach to helping your child navigate school transitions with confidence
The Challenge of School Transitions
Coming back from holidays or even a slower pace to school or kindergarten is a challenge. New people, new classes, a new school/preschool, or starting preschool/school for the very first time is a lot for our children to process.
These transitions can feel overwhelming—not just for children, but for parents too. The good news? With the right framework, you can transform these potentially stressful experiences into opportunities for growth and connection.
“True educators are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite children to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own. Nikos Kazantzakis
Introducing the FHO Framework
Parents are educators too; readiness is something we can support and nurture but can't be forced. Whenever we're faced with the thought of a transition, we can activate the FHO Framework: Familiarise, Humanise, and Organise.
The better we become at embedding this framework the more we can manage and even normalise transitions, developing skills and experience. Transitions take time and energy, and while we can’t prepare for every transition, we can develop skills and routines to make them easier. Some transitions are momentary, and others are bigger and more enduring, like starting school.
After years of supporting families through educational transitions, I've developed a simple yet powerful framework that transforms these potentially overwhelming experiences into manageable steps:
F - Familiarise: Make the new known
H - Humanise: Empathise with people
O - Organise: Create systems for success
This framework provides structure for navigating any transition, whether it's starting kindergarten, changing schools, returning after holidays, meeting a new carer or travelling overseas. The FHO framework works for all.
F: Familiarise—Reducing the Unknown
The more we familiarise ourselves and our children with what we know, the more we reduce the newness and possible overwhelm. Some children need more preparation than others and there’s always a sweet spot, the “just enough” spot. Only you know and understand what that sweet spot feels like for your family and your child
For school familiarisation
Take the lead from the school orientation process
Ask them for more support or clarity if needed
The school is an important part of your village
Familiarise your child with
The physical environment (buildings, playgrounds)
Daily routines and expectations
Materials they'll encounter (uniforms, equipment)
Organise play dates with children who will share their journey.
We understandably focus on the new things in transitions but discuss the familiar as well. They are already known, safe and predictable, such as:
A teacher in the playground at playtime, just like kindergarten.
Stories and drawings are still an important part of the school day as are
Music and games
Be present and observe your child, some like and need lots of preparation, they may be excited for “new” things, for others it can create anxiety if mentioned too often.
H: Humanise—Building Connections
Humanising transitions means helping your child see the people they'll encounter as relatable rather than intimidating. No matter whether it’s a new teacher or a visit to a dentist, new class or a new room, when children can see the human side of new adults and peers, their anxiety significantly decreases and their capacity for connection increases.
New people in their lives might be Mums and Dads or have a dog like us.
Build empathy and compassion for others
Encourage their innate curiosity, their desire to learn, understand and know, to seek new information, experiences and explore possibilities.
Wonder why with your children to encourage their thinking and problem solving
O: Organise—Creating Predictability
The more organised we are, the calmer and more flexible we can be– rushing and heightened emotions before and after school or kindergarten are not helpful for our children or for us.
Much of the organising with a younger child transitioning to school will be done by you, or coached by you
Your focus is enabling their independence, developing confidence and competence
Include your child as much as possible in organizing
Food and equipment
Uniforms
A routine for morning and afternoon and being consistent
You can’t be organised for everything but the more organised you are, the more your child will have in their wellbeing budget to be flexible and creative when the unknown and unexpected happens.
Ready for School Transition Success?
This brief introduction to the FHO Framework highlights the essential principles for supporting your child's school transition. Our comprehensive video series provides the detailed guidance many families need:
In-depth exploration of FHO framework
Downloadable & Practical handout guide
Parent wellbeing strategies for managing your own transition emotions
Learn More About the Complete Series →