March 08,2018 | Moving Tips

How to Help Your Kids Fit in At a New School

 

Everyone has trouble adjusting after a move to a new city. Even adults can have difficulty feeling like they’re a true part of their new community or workplace. For children, fitting in at school can be a difficult task even when it’s the same school they have attended their whole lives, never mind a brand new school.

HOW TO HELP YOUR KIDS FIT IN AT A NEW SCHOOL

 Everyone has trouble adjusting after a move to a new city. Even adults can have difficulty feeling like they’re a true part of their new community or workplace. For children, fitting in at school can be a difficult task even when it’s the same school they have attended their whole lives, never mind a brand new school.

That’s why one of the hardest parts of moving with kids is what happens after the move, when they have to get used to a new city, new school, new teachers, and new peers.

5 Ways to Help Your Kids Fit in at a New School

Below are some of best things you can do as a parent to help your kids get adjusted to their new school environment (and hopefully make some friends) after moving to new city.

  1. Acknowledge their Feelings

You might think that the best thing to do for a child who is having trouble adjusting to a new school is to get them to forget their old school, but this is not the case. It’s important to show your child that you understand their feelings and empathize with them.

Let them know that feeling lonely or missing their old friends is normal, and that it might take some time for them to be able to move on and make new friends.

  1. Take them on a Tour

If your kids know how to navigate their new school before their first day, they will feel less lost when they arrive. When they’re able to get around with confidence, it’s one less thing for them to worry about, and it will help them look like they “fit in” and not be so obviously the “new kid.” 

If you move during the summer, this might be an easier feat, as many schools have an “open house” day before the start of the school year where new students can get a tour and meet some principals or teachers. If this isn’t the case at your child’s new school, or if you move during the school year, contact a principal to find out if you can get a tour after school hours one day, or at least a map of the school to study. 

  1. Register them for Activities

 

 

via GIPHY

Some kids might be hesitant to join a team or a club at their new school, even if they were part of the same one at their old school. Telling your child they have to register for at least one activity isn’t pushing too hard. It’s a great way for them to make friends with similar interests, and to become more well-known to their peer group. 

  1. Allow them to “Blend In”

Different schools have different “trends” and “styles.” If your child expresses interest in new clothes or a hairstyle shortly after moving to a new school, let them get it. 

You don’t have to do an entire closet overhaul, and your kids don’t have to give up their individuality in favour of conformity. You just need to let them find the “look” that will make them feel comfortable in their new environment.

  1. Connect with a Teacher

 

 

via GIPHY

If you’re looking to truly find out how your child is fitting in at school, the best person to ask is a the person who sees them all day: their teacher. If you’re worried that your kids might not be “fitting in” as well as they could, ask their teachers what they think.

Teachers might be able to provide useful feedback on what you or your child could be doing to better adjust, including suggesting activities and/or groups that are friendly and accepting.

There are a lot of resources out there for parents who are moving with kids and want to help them adjust to a new school. If you have concerns, check online or in your local library for more information.

If you are planning to move and looking for a local moving company, get your free moving estimate from Two Small Men.

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