It’s quite normal for children to be nervous about starting at a new school. It’s a change to their routine and will mean leaving behind the friends and school environment that they’ve gotten used to. While it can be scary, it’s also an exciting opportunity for them to make new friends. Here are some tips that you can use to help your child settle into their new school.
This post is in collaboration with a private nursery in Colchester.
Attend Open Days
Before even deciding on a school, you and your child will be invited along to open days where you can explore school premises and meet teaching staff. It gives children the chance to have their say on whether or not they like the schools that you have in mind and also build familiarity so the move itself is less daunting. They may also have transition or taster days that are like normal school days where they can get used to their surroundings and a different timetable.
A Good Luck Toy/Charm
If your child has a favourite toy of some sort like a teddy, it may help if they take it in with them on their first day.
Ask if You Can Sit In
Some schools (nursery schools in particular) are able to make special arrangements for children that aren’t coping so well. Parents can stay with them for a little while at school while they adjust.
Get Additional Support
If your child is moving schools, chances are they have missed some of the curriculum. This can be a source of stress and if you’re not up to date on what the school is teaching, you might want to enlist services of somewhere like Tutor Hunt for some additional tutoring.
Find Friends
The hardest part about moving school for children is saying goodbye to their friends. You can speak to other parents to see whether there will be any others making the move with them. It can make it easier knowing that there will be familiar faces at their new school.
Learn the Route
The journey to school is another thing that they will need to get used to. Before they start, you can do a few trial runs to help them remember the route so that they feel less anxious about their first day.