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.
