When you’re forced to switch your children’s school, you have to prepare for their feelings and concerns. You have concerns of your own about the situation. The types of concerns that you have might depend on the reason you’re switching their school.
For example, maybe you’re switching their school because you had issues with their last one. Maybe you’re forced to make the switch due to relocation. You have concerns regarding the new school’s ethics and overall grade.
You’re concerned about how well your children will thrive there. Keep in mind that your children have their concerns about switching schools as well. Your children might be going through all different kinds of emotions during the switch.
They might feel anxious, excited, nervous, scared, and more!
To make the switch as easy as possible for your children, you’ll want to continue reading below. To also make the transition easier you can buy gifts for your new teacher?
Here’s everything you need to know about creating a smooth transition for them
Keep Them in the Loop From the Beginning
From the minute the move is official, explain the situation to your children. You want to keep them in the loop about the switch from the beginning. This gives them the most time possible for processing what’s about to happen.
Be honest with them and help them understand why the switch is happening. They’re people just like us and are less subjected to anxiety and confusion about things when they’re explained well to us. If they know what to expect, then they can better prepare themselves for this new chapter in life.
Give Them a Voice in the Decision
When things happen that are out of our control, it’s common to become stressed out and anxious.
Although you might not have control over the reason for or need to switch, you do have some control over what new school to choose. We know that this is an essential decision for everyone involved because you want the absolute best for your children.
Giving them a voice in the decision, however, can help ease their minds and possibly calm any anger they have towards the situation as well. To give you peace of mind during the process, select the top 3 schools on your list.
For example, create a list that includes the best private school, the best public school, and the best charter school of your choice. If you’re only looking at one type of school (such as public), then list the top 3 schools of your choice in that category.
Then, visit each of these schools with your children.
Meet with staff and administrators and tour the school. Allow your children to then decide which school they’d prefer.
Stay Positive Throughout the Process
If you’re negative about a situation, your children will feel this negativity and will become negative towards the situation as well.
This is true for both older and younger children. It’s okay to address concerns, and you should, but it’s also necessary to focus on the good.
Stay positive and enthusiastic about all of the good things that a new school will bring. If you constantly speak about all of the new exciting things to come your family’s way, then you help build that excitement in your children as well.
Find Ways to Become Involved With the School
If your children are teenagers, then they might not want you to walk around the halls as they meet new friends.
This is something that you can discuss with your older children. When dealing with your younger ones, however, there’s no doubt that they’d love for you to get involved with the school.
When children have a parent around them in a new environment, it helps them feel more comfortable. Look into ways to volunteer at the school. You’ll meet other parents by doing so, which can lead to fun playdates.
Set Up Playdates With New Friends
When possible, set up playdates for your children. Even if they haven’t met that child in their new school yet, it gives them a chance to build a new friendship. This normally works best for children that are at the elementary-school age.
Setting up playdates also helps you build new friendships as well. It’s common for the parents of children who are friends to build friendships of their own. Once you start building these friendships, it’ll then become easier to set up more and more playdates.
Allow Them to Discover Fun Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities give children the opportunity to not only do what they love but to build new friendships as well. If they’re still very young, you can choose one for them that you’d think they’d enjoy. If they’re old enough, then allow them to choose their own activities.
It’s a great way for them to connect with other children about things outside of the school, such as a love for cheer, soccer, or something else. Signing your children up for an afterschool program is another great way to help them make friends and feel like a part of the community.
Ask Them to Talk to You About Their Feelings
Your children might be little, but they’re still people with their own feelings and concerns. Be sure to take the time to ask your children about how they feel about the switch. Allow them to talk to you about everything they’re feeling.
Aside from asking them questions, ensure you give them a listening ear. Truly listening to what your children have to say might be all your children need from you to feel better.
For Children, Switching Schools Is a Big Deal!
Switching schools is a time of excitement and concern for children and the parents involved.
Be sure to keep these few tips in mind during the switch to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible for everyone.
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