Help Your Child Adapt to a New School

Changing schools can be a stressful experience for children. Because school is like their second home and very often the center of their social life, it's important to help them adapt as quickly as possible.

Before you choose a school, talk to your children.

• Find out the things they like best in their current school.
• Next ask them what things they like the least.
• List the sports and activities that they want to continue.
• Know what their core curriculum courses covered this year.
• Ask how they would feel if their new school is much larger, or much smaller, than their current school.

Talk to your children about what they can expect at the new school.

• Take your children on a tour before you select the school so they can be part of the decision.
• Highlight for them the things that they'll like most about the new school.
• Prepare them for potential obstacles they may encounter.
• During the tour of the school, take note of how the other students dress and help your children "fit in". This may help diminish feelings of being the "new kid on the block".
• Find special programs that interest your children so they can join and begin to build friendships with their peers.

 Most importantly, listen to your children and help them adapt. This can be a great opportunity to bond and help your children learn important life lessons.