How to Help a Child Adjust to Moving to a New School

Your family is moving to a new city or perhaps a new state. You have everything ready and packed, all of the arrangements are made and everything seems to be in order. But what about your children? Moving to a new school can be a very trying experience for your child. While they do not always voice how they feel, they may be feeling apprehensive about the whole situation. Your child is going to faced with new teachers, leaving friends behind, trying to find new friends and just the general moving situation. Sometimes we believe that children do not face any type of stress or worry. Situations such as this can be very hard on a child of any age. There are a few things that can do to help make the move to a new school easier for your child.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Time with your child
• Understanding
• Listening skills
• Communication with the parents of your children's friends

1. The first step that you should take when dealing with your child's issues of moving to a new school is to simply not dismiss your child's feelings. Your child has probably made many good friendships at his old school and it will probably pain them to leave behind his friends. It is important to listen to their concerns about the move and to be able to ensure the child that just because they are moving away, it doesn't mean that the relationships will have to be severed completely.
2. If possible, show the child around the new area and school that they will be going to before the actual move. Part of the apprehension may be that they are sure about the area that they are moving to. Let them see for themselves what the school looks like and perhaps allow him to meet some of the children in the neighborhood. Sometimes it can be the thought of not knowing that can make the child feel uncomfortable.
3. If you are friendly with the parents of your child's friends, and you are not moving a far distance, try to arrange for your children to still meet up and see each other from time to time. It could be weekend sleep overs, during the summer or just for lunch and a play date from time to time. Any connection that can be maintained between your child and their friends can be helpful.
4. If you are moving a far distance, another option may be writing letters and emails. Your child can keep in contact with their old friends through the internet. This does not mean that the child has to have their own email or messenger accounts. If the child is younger and you do not want them to have their own accounts, you can let them use your account or set one up in your name for this specific use. This can help the child maintain their friendships from a far distance. If you do not have access to a computer at home, try getting the child to write letters or perhaps make phone calls to their friends.
5. Once you have helped your child begin to deal with issues of leaving their friends, you still need to adjust to the new school. Try getting to know your child's teachers and perhaps even speak to them about the way your child is feeling. While teachers deal with this sort of thing all of the time, they don't really know what your child is feeling. Perhaps if they understand what is going on they can help make the transition easier for everyone.

Tips & Warnings

• Never dismiss your child's feelings, no matter how you feel, these feelings are real for your child.
• Do not assume that because your child hasn't mentioned it, that they are not feeling sad or confused about the situation. Talk to your child.