6 Simple Ways to Help Prepare Your Child for a New School
Were you ever the new kid in school? Entering a brand-new school for the first time can be terrifying for a child. For them, it’s literally a new world. But going to a new school doesn’t have to be the terrifying experience your child is afraid it will be.
I’m school assembly expert Joe Romano. I’ve delivered incredible educational assemblies to schools in Virginia for the last 30+ years. I know how to relate to kids and give them important information they’ll remember long after my show is over. In this series of articles, I tackle subjects important to parents, teachers, and school administrators. Let’s get started!
Parents often forget how scary school is for kids to begin with. And leaving the familiarity of their friends and the halls of the school they know just ratches up their anxiety further. Try the following suggestions to help your child ease into their new environment.
New Kid in School Tip #1: Talk About It
You know your child better than anyone else. But when starting school in a new location, they may have fears they haven’t told you about. To put on a brave face, your child may be keeping their fears inside.
Maybe they’re worried about making new friends. Or leaving the old ones behind. Maybe they’re not sure they can remember how to get to their new classrooms. Some central schools are monstrous affairs, with enough twists and turns to cause anyone to get lost.
Encourage your child to talk about their fears. Get it out in the open. Holding it all inside only leads to more stress and anxiety.
New Kid in School Tip #2: Take a Tour of the New School
If your child is starting school in a new building at the beginning of the school year, you may be able to take a tour. Part of the challenge of starting school in a new place is fear of the unknown. If you can schedule a tour of the building with your child, you can help them get used to the layout before the pressure is on during actual school hours.
New Kid in School Tip #3: Practice, Practice, Practice!
While a tour of the building is a good start, you can help your child ease their anxiety with repetition. Take your child to the school multiple times. If your child will be walking to school, walk the route with them several times.
Don’t forget the playground. Plan plenty of visits to the school’s playground. Try to build up a sense of familiarity in your child with the school’s playground and other surroundings. You can also help this sense of familiarity with playdates.
If you’re friendly with other parents in the neighborhood, arrange to meet them and their children at the playground. Let your child explore their new surroundings and get used to them.
New Kid in School Tip #4: Have Celebrations
Turn every milestone into a cause for celebration! Have a big celebration after the first day of school. Have one after the first full week. Turn these steps toward familiarity into positive achievements your child can be proud of.
New Kid in School Tip #5: Talk to Someone Else
If you are friendly with other parents in the neighborhood, ask them for help. They can talk to your child about what a wonderful place the school is. And if they recently moved to the area, your child has the benefit of talking to someone who was once in their shows.
If your child knows they are not the only person who has been the new kid at the school, they may feel better. Knowing you’re not the only one who has gone through the experience can really benefit your child.
New Kid in School Tip #6: Have Patience with Your Child
Depending on your parenting style, you might find the idea of your child going to a new school as no big deal. But even if you’re empathetic to what your child is going through, remember they are just a kid. They don’t have the same reasoning capacity or cognitive functions as you do.
Let them process this new experience. Let them feel their emotions. Be patient with them as they adjust to the newness of the situation.
Get Your Entire School Excited About the New School Year
Even if your child is not the new kid, a new school year is a source of anxiety for many. Want to help your child’s entire school? My Character Education school assembly “The Magic in You” is perfect for schools in Virginia. With magic, join-in fun, and positive messages of diversity and respect. It’s a great way to start the school year off right. Contact me today for free information on this amazing program.
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