Categories
Big Kid Parenting

Helping Your Child Become Comfortable In A New School Environment

Going to a new school can be tough on children. Not only do they have to make an entirely new set of friends, which doesn’t always come easy, but being the “new kid” in anything can be a tough ask. 

That’s okay, though, as everyone must be new at something at some point in their lives, and getting used to this process now is ideal. Not only that, but as with many pupils attending the Park Tudor School, you’ve placed your child in a new school for a positive set of reasons that will ultimately help them grow, develop, and thrive.

But how can we help our child soothe those initial anxieties and instead look to the future with a sense of enthusiasm? Never fear, this is more than possible, but you must be focused and soothe their understandable worries when they show. This way, they can feel reassured and then jump forward into a new experience and grasp it with both hands.

In this post, we’ll discuss how and why that’s possible; and how to go about providing it:

How to Help Your Child Become Comfortable In A New School

Visit The Open Day

Many schools will offer open house days that you should take your child to. They’ll show you the facilities, classrooms, and other areas to help you understand the school and how it operates.

You’ll see the learning resources, the technology used to deliver the best education, and displays celebrating the school’s history and experiences. Visiting the open house will also help you speak one-on-one with the teachers. There is no better way to get a true feeling for its environment. Just imagine how much this can help your child feel comfortable there.

Go Through The Reading Materials

When a child gets accepted to a new school, they usually provide reading materials. These materials help you and your child understand the requirements, from the behavioral code to advice on their lesson plans.

Going through this with your child can help them avoid worrying about it on the first day. It prevents suffering from an overwhelming amount of information they may not have been expecting. Knowing what to expect can help them thrive, feeling familiar with the place before they even get there.

Consider Any Accessibility Requirements

If your child has special accessibility requirements, discuss them with the teacher and principal before the first day. Consider asking what kind of microphones the teachers use in sync with their hearing aids or how they can carefully evacuate your child down the stairs in the event of a fire drill or an actual fire.

Knowing that the provisions are there and that they don’t have to feel “other” or “less-than” simply because they have extra needs can be a true subconscious relief for your child. It can encourage them to move forward confidently and engage with the lesson structure in front of them.

Helping Your Child Navigate a New School

With this advice, we believe you’ll be able to help your child become comfortable in many new school environments.

Categories
Parenting

Choose Your Kid’s Backpack Using These 6 Simple Tips

Shopping for back-to-school items is exciting for your kid, and one of the most important items you can buy is a backpack. Your kid’s backpack does more than hold books. They keep their snacks and any other item they own. It is crucial to involve your kid when choosing the backpack to ensure it is something they love. When they point out a bag, consider the following things to ensure it is the right one. 

How to Choose Your Kid’s Backpack

Size 

The worst mistake you will make to your kid is buying them a large bag that feels cumbersome. We advise looking for the right fit your kid will feel comfortable with rather than buying something you think they should grow into. You don’t like a big bag, so don’t buy that for your kid too. Instead, measure their size; if your kid is older, you may try it out yourself to see if it fits. 

Easy to Clean 

Your kid probably does not know how to take care of themselves. Therefore, the backpack might get dirty quickly. It will be exposed to all sorts of dirt, including spills, crumbs, mud, and much more. Therefore, look for a bag that is easy to clean. 

Quality 

Your kid will toss the bag, kick it, drag it and do all kinds of things. You want to ensure you will not run to the shop every month to buy a new bag. Therefore, insist on quality. Choose a bag with heavy material and one that the designer took some considerable time to create such as Loungefly bags . Quality bags are the best option if you want a backpack that lasts longer. 

Straps 

When buying the bag, make sure it has two straps for even weight distribution. The straps should be padded to prevent muscle strain and increase comfort. They should also be adjustable to adjust according to your kid’s size. You can also pick a backpack with a sternum strap that runs across the chest for further weight distribution. 

Weight 

There are a lot of things the kid will carry in the bag, from their personal items to lunch, a laptop, and others. So, it is easy for the bag to get easily heavy. As you consider the size, weigh the bag too. Find out what they want to carry in the bag and see if it can hold. You can also teach the child how to pack their items and discuss the items that should not go into the bag. If they have to carry heavy items, teach them how to strap the bag to prevent muscle strain. 

Additional Features for a Kid’s Backpack

One vital feature you should check is the zipper. Your child’s bag cannot be complete without a zipper, and if you buy one, you will have failed the assignment. Other features to look for include a name tag place and padded straps. Consider also stretchy side pockets for water bottles and gloves. 

Takeaways About Choosing Your Kid’s Backpack

You will come across all sorts of backpacks for kids of different sizes and shapes. Choosing the best one for your kid will not be easy. However, if you have read the points discussed above, it will be a bit easier for you. Make sure you also include the kid in the selection.