Tips to assist your kid adapt to a new school.

You will find in this article ways of helping your kid adapt to a new school, ways to help with this transition for you and your child. Change can be difficult, whatever profession you’re in, change is always difficult. First thing is to identify different instances that could occur that can cause a child to have to attend a different school. First one is your family moved to a new neighborhood, another one is you relocated for a job opportunity, another one is you moved to live closer to a family member to help out with your family, or your child had to move in with relatives to live with them, or your child is just starting at a new school. These changes may be tough on you as an adult, but they’re also tough on your child, so we’re going to give you some tips here to help assist you. 

No matter the reason, the best way to help your kid is by maintaining a positive attitude. Children feed off the way their parents respond, so if you maintain a positive attitude and point out the benefits for your kid, he or she is going to understand that as well and it’s going to reduce their anxiety. When you’re looking at neighborhoods and schools, include your kids and make them part of that process as much as possible, obviously this is ultimately the parents decision but if there’s any sort of choice that you can give to your children make them part of it, so that they claim ownership also. Allow your kids to tour the school beforehand, you don’t want your child to start the first day and not know where the bathroom is, not know where the cafeteria is, so make sure that your child goes in before the first day of school and take a tour. Also another thing that you can do together with your kid is to read the school handbook and look at the website together, this will familiarize both of you with what the school has to offer, so that there’s not as much anxiety about the unknown. Additionally, introduce your child to community events in the new school. Getting to know other kids will make a more friendly environment for them, the first day of school they’ll have a familiar face. But not just that, take your kid to the political playground, to the library, sign up for a summer camp so that your kid makes some friends  and again keep a positive focus and frame this experience in a way of another first experience that your child may have had in the past. If your child went to a friend’s house for the first time, talk about those feelings again, make this an open discussion and open conversation that your child is not scared of. 

Stock up on supplies, the basic supplies: pencils, notebooks and erasers if your child is younger, maybe crayons or colored pencils. The night before the first day of school you should lay out clothes for your child and assemble any supplies your child may need, have it all ready and most importantly give them a good night’s kiss and both of you get some nice rest. On the first day of school you want to feed your child a wholesome breakfast, in other words a balanced meal that includes proteins, whole grains, fruit and milk, pack them a healthy lunch and escort your child to school. If your kid will be riding the bus, take him or her to the bus stop and wait for the bus to arrive. If you are able to drive your child to school, you may do that as well. Introduce you and your child to the teacher, the principal and secretaries if you are able to, allow your kid to become familiar with the main area. Do not prolong the goodbyes, tell them you love them, give them a hug and kisses, say goodbye and wish them well and a wonderful day. You can also allow your child to bring an age-appropriate comfort item, such as a picture from a family vacation or a toy. At the end of the first day there may be difficulties your kid may have experienced during class or during the school time, so be ready for them. Expect challenges and be understanding, give your child time to reflect on their first day, ask them what happened, give them time to talk with you, give them positive thoughts, don’t be negative. Also what you need to do is have your child identify three positive points of the day, then complete homework with your kid, set that bonding time at least the first few weeks of school. Don’t expect that everything will just be normal right away, be sensitive as they settle in. We know as adults that it takes time for the dust to settle so it’s the same for your children. Your child may want to stay home instead of going to school because perhaps they’re still nervous, you should try to encourage them to go to school every day and have a routine. Again socialize with community members so that they feel comfortable with the kids at school, so that your kid understands moving to a new school as part of a family decision, that everybody’s in it together.