How to help your child transition to a new school

If the situation allows, take your child on a tour of their future school. This will give them the opportunity to become familiar with their new academic environment. Getting a sense of the school’s layout and meeting the staff will have multiple benefits for your child:

• They’ll feel less anxious
• They’ll know what to expect on their first day
• They’ll be able to find their classrooms
• They’ll know where to find the school’s resource personnel
• Etc.

When touring your child’s new school, take the opportunity to ask the staff questions. If a visit isn’t possible, you can also call the school to find out more about the following:

• Class sizes
• The names of your child’s future teachers
• The extracurricular activities
• The classroom routine (for elementary school)
• The cafeteria menu
• Etc.

Local students are likely to spend time at the neighbourhood park and schoolyard. If possible, before your child’s first day, take a trip to the park and explore the municipal facilities (swimming pool, playground, skateboard ramps, etc.). It could make a big difference— your child might make some new friends even before setting foot in the classroom.

If your child shy and introverted? Share these tips to help them interact with others:

• Walk over with a genuine smile
• Say hello to the other kids
• Introduce yourself
• Show interest in the activity they’re doing
• Suggest a new activity
• Etc.

Even if your child is excited now about the prospect of a new school, they might have a different reaction later on. Since joy, anxiety, and sadness are emotions that can coexist, it’s important to remember that your child might be temporarily upset. To help them manage their feelings, try to have an honest conversation. For instance, you can do the following:

• Acknowledge their emotions without minimizing them
• Listen
• Be understanding
• Ask questions (e.g., How are you feeling? What do you think about this change?)
• Etc.

Changing schools also means leaving friends, teachers, and old stomping grounds behind. Whether intended or not, the transition will likely come with some heartache. To support your child during this period, encourage them to say goodbye to their old school. You could suggest that they do the following:

• Have a goodbye party
• Write a farewell letter to their friends, teacher, etc.
• Ask for their classmates’ phone numbers to keep in touch
• Take photos of their favourite people and places to make a scrapbook
• Etc.