Moving to a new city can pose challenges for all family members. However, children in the household often face a significant transition: switching to a new school. Helping your child adapt to a new, unfamiliar educational setting is vital to their success as a student and their emotional well-being. Thankfully, there are several steps you can take as a parent to help your children adjust to a new school after a residential move.
Talk Openly About the Move and the Transition
As much as possible, keep your child informed about the upcoming move and transition to a new school. Switching schools can be a major shift in a child’s life. Therefore, this is not the type of transition you should make suddenly or without warning. The Child Development Institute recommends a few good tips, such as:
- Talking about the move as early as possible and often
- Offering as much information as possible about the relocation and school change
- Allowing the child to ask questions about the move and the new school
Arrange a Visit to the School to Take a Tour
Don’t let the first time the child sees the new school be on the first day they have to attend as a student. It can be helpful for children to visit beforehand to get to know the building, meet some of the teachers, and gain a sense of familiarity. If you are relocating to a specific school district, reach out to the school and ask if you can plan a tour for your incoming student. During the visit, it can also be helpful to ask questions as the parent of a soon-to-be student, such as:
- What time does the school day begin and end?
- Where is the bus stop in your new neighborhood?
- What is the earliest/latest a child should be picked up or dropped off?
- What extracurricular activities do you offer?
Talk to the Child’s Teacher About Special Concerns or Considerations
If your child has special needs or you have particular concerns, be sure to schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher or the school principal. If your child is accustomed to specific accommodations at their old school, it will be necessary for those accommodations to be available in the new school. For example, if your child has sensory sensitivities to sound, the teacher will need to know the student needs to wear ear protection during certain activities.
Plan to Visit a School Event If Possible
Most schools host events throughout the school year. Pep rallies, sports games, track meets, open houses, book fairs, and other school-hosted events may be available to incoming students. Look up the school’s website or social pages to find a calendar of events and pick an event that could interest your child. These events can be an excellent place to network with other families in the community and allow your child to meet some other students.
- Promote Their Participation in Extracurricular Activities
- Encourage your children to sign up for extracurricular activities. Joining a team or club, whether it is sports, theater, or an academic club, will make it easier for them to meet new people, make friends, and feel part of their new community. It will also give them something to focus on other than missing their old friends and teachers.
Leave the Moving to the Pros to Keep Your Focus On Family
Relocating can bring along a lot of new challenges to navigate with your family members. As you prepare for your upcoming move, be sure to contact a moving company for support. Allowing a team of professionals to help with the logistics will enable you to focus on your family’s needs.
Need an excellent moving company to help? Contact our team to get a free moving quote to get started.