familyservicehub You’re excited that you were able to sell your house quickly and are moving into a new home in a beautiful new neighborhood! Your child might not be as excited about the prospect of moving to a new high school. Children and parents can find change daunting, especially during a time of transition.
A change of school can provide your child with new experiences and an improved life. Here are some tips to help your child thrive and adjust in a new environment.
Recognize their Fears
It’s likely that your child feels nervous and shy when adjusting to a new school. It’s more effective to acknowledge your child’s fears than to dismiss their fears and assure them that “everything is fine”. Tell them you understand their fear, but assure them that all will be well. You can tell them a story about an experience you had in a new place and how you grew from it. A relatable story is often incredibly comforting to children who are nervous.
Transition with Them
Help your child adjust to the new school by helping them move into it. Spend some time with the teacher and other parents. Help your child to adjust in the classroom if you can. It is important to do this for young children, who may not have the same social skills that older ones. The first few weeks of a new school can be a stressful time for children. If you give them the support they need, you will help them succeed.
Get involved
Participating in school events and volunteering is a great way to make your child feel at home. Volunteer at school events or attend them whenever you can. Attending parent-teacher meetings or assisting in a bake sales are just two ways you can get involved.
Keep your child busy
When your child is transitioning to a new school, child psychologists suggest keeping them as busy as you can. They may feel depressed and miss their old friends if they have too much downtime. Keep their schedule packed with extracurricular activities and family time. Keep your child busy to distract them from the negative feelings they may have about moving.