My daughter and her kindergarten buddies are adjusting well to Grade One and life in a "big kids' school". They are learning new skills to develop their independence and self-reliance.
The most conspicuous changes from kindergarten are that these children no longer have teachers to remind them to wash their hands before lunch, or to make sure they bring the right exercise books home for homework.
This transition to a new school is daunting for my daughter. I imagine that she misses her kindergarten teachers' warm embrace and sitting on their laps to share stories of recent adventures.
Yet, with new teachers to get to know, new friendships to establish and new routines to master, it's unlikely that she reflects much on the past.
My daughter is fortunate enough to attend a local school where the daily schedule includes three recess breaks, and sustained silent reading.
Also known as free voluntary reading, sustained silent reading at this primary school involves all students reading silently for 20 minutes every day. The only restriction is that students must read English-language books and Chinese-language books on alternate weeks.