SMOOTH TRANSITIONS: HELP YOUR CHILD MAKE THE MOVE FAST! by Colleen Langenfeld
If your family has recently moved, your child may
have many concerns about attending a new school.
You can help lessen the worries your child feels with
a few simple ideas.
- Go to the school early and get registered.
Take a tour of the school while you're there.
- Find out if your new school has any back-to-school
events scheduled, even before school begins. Attend
them with your child. Meet your student's teacher, if
possible.
- Include your child in back-to-school shopping. He
or she will feel more in control of the situation
through involvement.
- Sit down with your student and map out the coming
year. This is especially important for older kids.
Help them set goals, both academically and socially.
Help them know they are truly in charge of their own
happiness.
- Head off any problems you can see coming in advance.
Does your child have any special needs the local school
needs to be aware of? Do you need extra tutors? Now's
the time for successful planning.
- Get involved. What are your child's hobbies or sports
interests? Call the school and local parks and
recreation centers to find out league information and
get signed up.
- Spiritual help. Find the church or synagogue that's
right for your family. Studies clearly show that kids
growing up in a spiritual environment benefit from the
greater opportunities found in healthy support groups.
- Check out community organizations for children. Youth
groups can provide fun, support, socialization and
volunteer opportunities as well as promote community
awareness.
- Consider your own household rules. Do you need to
meet other parents in order for your child to accept
a playdate? (A wise move with most ages.) Be
proactive and available to meet your child's new friends
and their parents. Encourage playdates in your own home;
kids need the chance to get to know a new friend outside
of school.
- Encourage letters, phone calls and emails to maintain
old friendships. In this day of frequent moves, children
need to learn the skills of maintaining friendships as
well as making new ones. A familiar 'voice' in an email
can be the perfect touch after a long day in a new school!
- Remind your kids to look for other 'newbies' at school.
Often other new students are very receptive to making a
new friend and there can be a great deal of comfort in
learning a new situation together.
Bottom line?
Encourage your child to get involved, be friendly and
give themselves the time and space needed to
'feel at home' in a brand new place.
Help them see that the rewards can far outweigh
the frustrations!
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Colleen Langenfeld delivers deals, tips and
creative resources to working moms who want
the most out of their homes, families and
careers at http://www.paintedgold.com . Sign
up for our free newsletter and get an
online Creativity Toolkit as our gift to you!
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