The Move to Big School Checklist

It’s never easy moving your child to a new school. For primary school-aged children, the transition from one school to a brand new one is often challenging. The thought of getting new teachers, classrooms, and friends is often overwhelming even for the foremost outgoing of children, and it’ll take purposeful planning on the parents’ behalf to make sure that their kids know it’s normal to be nervous about heading to a new learning environment.

It isn’t uncommon for university students to sound out of place for the first few months of transitioning to a brand new school, especially if they’re still in a new home environment. Kids who experience the strain of moving to a brand new school may show their discomfort by acting out, withdrawing from social activities or maybe changing their diet and sleeping patterns.

If you’re wondering about a way to cope with transferring schools, we are happy to assist you and your child through their transition period. Throughout this article, we’ll share tips for visiting a brand new school so you’ll be able to help your child adjust. Visiting a brand new school seems scary, but with the subsequent tips and a positive mindset, the transition is going to be much easier.

1. Allow Your Child and Yourself to Take on the Challenge

This particular step seems counterproductive, but acknowledging the stress that both you as a parent and your children are experiencing makes it that much easier to move beyond it. This is the perfect opportunity for you to sit and talk with your child about what problems they are experiencing, what they are scared of, and what you can do to help them feel better about the new school and circumstances.

2. Make some exceptions while they adjust 

Children venturing into educational settings are already overwhelmed with new experiences and teachers, so they do not need extra pressure to perform at home. Lower your children’s load when it comes to anything unnecessary, especially during the first few weeks of their transition. Slowly introduce your children to more outside activities, acclimating them to their new normal level of activity.

3. Air any concerns with your child’s new teachers

Nobody will understand the amount of stress you and your child are going through more than your child’s new teacher. Discuss any concerns with your teacher and ask for their feedback. You are likely to find out that your child’s new teacher has resources to help you. After all, they’ve helped out hundreds of other children who have made the same move!

4. Network with your fellow parents

The school probably has a PTA association that you can join. This will allow you to talk to other parents who are probably in the same boat as you are. Having people who understand that exact stresses that you and your child have can provide support, and can even help your child find friends who are also new to the school.

5. Set aside some quality time for you and your child

Make sure you save some time to show your child they are not alone. Head to the playground, go to a museum or just stay in your home environment and play in the backyard. Whatever you decide to do, your child will love the fact that you are making time to spend time with them, and it will let loose a bit while you’re doing so. 

6. Make sure you’re focused on communication 

The most effective way to know when your child is doing well is simply by checking with them. If you keep communicating about what your child is doing, you will see if they are struggling or doing well in their move. This requires almost constant communication with your child about how they are feeling. Before you can even blink, you and your kids will be happily settled in your new environments.

7. Plan a Playdate

This is a simple but really effective tip. If you’re looking to settle things down and help your child with their transition, then a playdate outside of school with a child in their class is perfect. It allows them to bond with someone at their school outside of the learning environment and will help them feel more settled in class in the long run.

8. Keep your routine consistent 

If you have a morning routine in preschool then it’s a good idea to keep this as similar as possible for their new school. It promotes a sense of continuity and doesn’t add any extra stress to the situation. Your child can feel happy and confident in the morning before they are thrust into their new environment.

9. Visit the school

This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at the number of parents who don’t visit a school with their child before they start a term there. When you visit the school first, it won’t come as such a shock on your child’s first day. Maybe even arrange to visit with any other child you know starting school at the same time to make them feel extra comfortable in the new environment. 

10. Patience is key

Above all, when your child makes their big move to a new school, patience is the key to success. You could be forgiven for wanting to see instant results, everyone wants their child to be happy and progress as quickly as possible. But, all children move and develop at different speeds, and with your love and support, they will get there sooner rather than later.