Tips to Help Your Child Settle in at a New School
Children often find it tough to settle in at a new educational facility, whether they’ve recently changed schools or have gone off to high school for the first time. They not only have to create new friendships, but also get used to new teachers, potentially different rules, and often new ways of getting to and from the school’s location.
As parents, it’s easy to feel a bit lost about what can be done to help kids cope well with the change, but remember there are ways that you can help them to ease into the transition. From listening to and validating their feelings, and answering questions, to encouraging them to join social activities or learn how to handle difficult situations, there are plenty of strategies you can follow to support your children when they need it most.
Whether your child has started at a new school just down the road from your house, or has headed off to a specialized boarding school, you can make it easier for them to love their next school years. Read on for some tips you can follow today to do just that.
Communicate, Listen, Reassure, and Validate
One of the first things you can do to help your child settle in at a new school is be there for them emotionally. For starters, be open to all of their questions, and give them well thought-out responses as much as possible.
Regular conversations can help them feel better about both practical and psychological concerns. For example, they may be worried about when or where playtimes are, or which bus service they need to catch each day. Alternatively, they might have anxiety over what their new teachers will be like, or whether the kids at their new school will be friendly.
No matter what your child’s worries may be, you will help them if you can be empathetic; answer their questions; listen to and validate their concerns so that they feel heard; and reassure them that they have the necessary skills to be able to cope with the change.
Create Daily Routines
When kids are facing a new situation, they can feel out of control as a result of the changes. You can help them with this by providing as much predictability as possible in their life — something that can often come from creating a structured daily routine.
It’s a good idea to get your children used to a regular bedtime for at least a few days, if not weeks, before they start at the new school. Morning routines are also important, as this helps them to start the day more calmly.
The importance of a structured routine cannot be overstated. Children and teens, especially those with behavioral problems or academic issues, need to know what to expect each day in order to focus and succeed. If you’re looking into alternative schools because your child needs extra help, schools with specific daily schedules, like Diamond Ranch boarding school in Utah, provide the best foundation for learning, growth, and real-life success.
Teach Children Ways to Handle Difficult Situations
Another way to help children feel more in control is to teach them ways to handle themselves if they’re faced with a difficult situation at school. Listen to their most commonly-spoken concerns about the new institution, and then come up with strategies for how they might cope or act if those worries are realized.
For example, if they’re anxious about not having anyone to sit with or play with at lunch, you could brainstorm solutions together. You might offer suggestions such as joining a sporting activity that others are enjoying, or keeping an eye out for another student who may be spending their lunch break alone.
You might also point out to your child that teachers and other faculty staff will be available should they need help; and remind them that other children will also be dealing with the same kinds of potential problems involved with starting at a new school.
Encourage Kids to Join Social Activities
While it is a good idea to encourage your children to stay in touch with their old school friends because this helps with the transition, it also pays for them to start meeting new people when possible too. This is where joining social activities at or through their new school can really help.
If your child has a particular hobby or interest, such as sport, crafts, drama, music, engineering, or chess, see if the school has a club relevant to the topic that they can join. Alternatively, there may also be extracurricular activities run in the area that are not done through the school but that many classmates attend.
Give Them Time
The last thing to keep in mind is that transitions take time, and children should never feel rushed to settle in according to a parent’s agenda. Don’t expect your child to slot into a new environment instantly or feel comfortable right away. Instead, help them to talk to and meet a wide variety of people so as to expand their world, and show them that they don’t have to cling to the first new friendships they make if these connections don’t turn out the way they hoped.
GillisHills says
I remember changing schools. It’s so hard for children, especially when they get older. Thanks for sharing!
cylina williams says
Great tips, my kids have moved to a few different schools when they were younger, older kids it is always harder to adjust.
Sue Mullaney says
I know some people who have children who have had to switch to different schools; this is really helpful information, I’ll be sure to share this with them!
Jeanna Massman says
Changing schools can be traumatic for children. Don’t be afraid to contact the school counselor for help.
Sarah L says
Very good tips. Especially about setting up routines.
Ronald Gagnon says
This ia all tremendous advice, but your Communicate, Listen, Reassure, and Validate is by far the most important
lisa says
A new school can be so difficult. Especially for a child that tends to be shy, or look a bit different.I matured at a young age, physically. I had my adult bra size by the fifth grade. And, I was shy. I had a tough time in school.
dawn gordon says
how i helped my daughter cope with starting the new schools she has started..is by throwing parties to invite friends from her school to go to
such as a craft party for one is a good one
or taking a few of them out to the movies…etc..
basically a birthday party without a birthday so they can make some friends at the school itself..this helps alot…
contest_chick82 says
These are great tips. Kids have it so hard these days with fitting in and worrying about bullying, and peer pressure, etc. Thanks for this insightful post! 🙂
tom says
This is a good Article.Very helpful as our Family will be moving somewhere new too
Amber Ludwig says
All so important!! Communication really is key!! I used to work child and adolescent inpatient and I was shocked at the amount o kids that felt like they had no place and nowhere to fit in!! Add that to no communication with their family and they feel like they have no safe place… and a safe place is so important in being able to grow and thrive!
Sakura Shion says
I’m glad I never had to change to a new school, I can only imagine how hard that would be..
debbie says
When I changed schools when I was 6 and a half I was so lucky I found a new friend on the first day and was so happy. Some fantastic ideas and suggestions here. Thank you for that
clojo9372 says
Kids have it so hard today. So much peer pressure and of course when you’re the new kid you want to fit in and make friends. That’s why it’s so important for parents to keep an open dialog with their children.
Melissa says
When I was 7 my mom change my school, it was very difficult to me. Thanks for all the tips!
Sandra Watts says
My son is having anxiety about going to a new class next year. I can’t imagine a whole new school!
Max Pena says
I remember as a kid I had a rough time changing schools. Good article!
Dotty J Boucher says
I love all your tips here that you shared, Often we forget that our children need time to take in and adjust to
what ever is happening around them.
Nancy Burgess says
Very good tips.It’s so hard moving to a new school kids need a lot of help adjusting.
Darlene Maroni says
This is such a concern for many parents I am sure. It was always a concern for me when my children were small. It was not a moving issue…for the family..it was a going from beginning grades that were in one school…to 1st through 3rd in another school …etc etc. Yes they still had some of their friends..but they were not always kept together and maybe would run into past friends on the play ground. My son did not always have a hard time making friends,my daughter on the other hand, was shy and it was harder for her. As a parent we tend to feel worse than the child does..I think the best thing is to encourage them to get involved in some school activities,or to stick around on the playground with them after school for awhile. Everything eventually works out and I often wonder why I worried in the first place. Kids seem to adjust better than we do sometimes.
The Char says
Very good tips. It is difficult to grow up and feel isolated.
Sue M. says
This post has a lot of useful ideas; thank you so much for posting!
Michele says
When we moved from a big city to a small town my children experienced a new school. They were lucky the transition was very easy…. Thank you for the tips I will share them with my friends and family..
Sheila Ritter says
I’m really glad I came across this article. My boys will be starting a new school this year in a new state and this had some great tips. Thank you.
Mia says
Such helpful tips for transitions. I think it is important for parents to remain calm and keep routines in place as you stated and to encourage activities and opportunities for making friends.
Sue Mullaney says
These are excellent tips, especially now that school will be starting soon. Thanks for posting!
Christy Caldwell says
Great tips. My youngest starts in a new school this year and he’s been a bit apprehensive. These will help me help him.
Sarah Kurtz says
My daughter was so scared going into kindergarten a couple years ago. All her friends from preschool were going elsewhere. I made a huge presence at the school. After a few weeks everyone knew her and her little brother the runner. Now it’s her brothers turn but he is very outgoing and knows everyone at the school because we were there everyday. New schools can be scary. As a parent I felt Utes’s my job to make sure she was comfortable.
Dotty J Boucher says
This is great information, I know when one of my granddaughters moved and she had to start a new school, how
tough it was on her, she would tell me how she felt alone. I tried to encourage her and let her know she is ok and to take one day at a time..
@tisonlyme143
Susan Smith says
Great tips, we recently moved and my daughter had to change schools. We spent time with the counselor, principle and got a tour of the school. She also met some of her teachers before school started.