How To Help Your Child Adapt To A New School
Moving schools is a difficult time for kids. VideoJug gives you expert advice on how to make a school transition as easy and stress-free as possible for children.
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Step 1:
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Talking about the move
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It's important to starting discussing the school move with your child as early as possible, so that they know their feelings about it are being taken into consideration. Explain to them in a positive way that the move will mean lots of exciting new changes, but also acknowledge your child's fears and concerns.
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Step 2:
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Practical preparations
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Your child will face less disruption if they start their new school at the beginning of the academic year, as this is a time of change anyway, and all the other children will have to go through a period of adjustment as well. If possible, try to arrange a tour of the new school before the first day, so that your child can see their new school environment and hopefully meet their new teacher. Try to find out as much as you can about the new school, and share this information with your child. Things like trying on the new school uniform are fun but also take out some of the newness and the strangeness of a different school context.
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Step 3:
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After the move
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Once your child has started at their new school, they will face the challenge of making new friends. It's important that you discuss this with your child and try to help them develop their social life. Many schools have a mentoring scheme for new children, in which an older student will show a new student around the school and make sure they settle in. Your child will also adjust and make friends more easily if they take part in extracurricular activities, so encourage them to join clubs and sports at the new school.
