How to Help Your Child Adjust to a New School After a Move

If you have recently moved, your child might be starting class at brand new school this fall. While the first day of school is always nerve-wracking, the first day at a completely unfamiliar facility is sure to cause your child extra stress. Check out our tips to help your offspring adjust to the changes!

Talk about it
Bring up the topic of starting a new school with your child to address her concerns--talking about her fears and nervousness will lessen the burden. Be sure to validate her feelings and empathize by giving examples when you felt similarly. Bring up past instances in her life when she had to do something for the first time--her first day at kindergarten or summer camp--to assure her that she will get through this as she did every other new and scary experience.

Research the new school

Making your child's new school a little more familiar will ease anxiety. Check out the school online and take notes of interesting classes or activities that you think would appeal to him. Encourage involvement in sports and other extracurricular activities, and be sure to point out classes or cool clubs to your child that were unavailable at his old school. Getting him excited about what his new school offers will make him forget his apprehension.

Have a practice run
Before the first day, go through your routine as if you were taking your child to school. Walk to the bus stop, plan and practice her route to school if she will be walking, or drive her to school so she is familiar with her drop-off spot and the entrance. You could even contact the school to schedule a tour to check out the classrooms, cafeteria or other places she will need to find on her first day.

Set up a play-date
If you have a young child, arrange a play-date with one of his classmates before classes begin. A familiar face on the first day of school will definitely make him feel less alienated. If there is an orientation before the semester starts, attend and chat with parents that have children of similar age. Even if you can't arrange a play-date with a child in the same class, having a friend to eat lunch with or talk to in the hallways will ease your child's loneliness.

Meet teachers in advance
If the school holds an orientation or back-to-school night, it's a great opportunity to meet your child's teachers. If not, you can arrange to visit before your child starts classes to meet them. Most of your child's fear comes from confronting the unfamiliar when she feels vulnerable--if you are by her side when she meets her new teacher it won't be as scary. Plus, if your child knows her new teacher is friendly beforehand, she won't have to be nervous about a grumpy authority figure.

Be patient and understanding
Make sure to stay tolerant and sensitive to your child's emotions during this stressful period. Remain supportive and encouraging, and remember to talk about your own fears and apprehensions regarding the move and changes you're all going through as a family.  It may take him some time to adjust, but patience and empathy will ease his transition and make the experience a little less frightening.