For New Residents' Children

Acclimating New Resident Children To Your Community And School

Starting at a new school is traumatic -- especially for young children. Besides wondering, "Will I like my new teacher? Who will be in my class? Will math be too hard?" new resident children don't know anyone so they also worry about making friends.

Transitions are difficult for kids. Typically, children's fears aren't communicated verbally. More often, they are expressed by talking back and fighting you at bedtime. Teenagers become more defiant and moody. Tears flow easily, and seemingly for no reason. Siblings fight with each other over the smallest things. Here is a printable guide on what parents can do:

Emphasize the positive. Kids look forward to things they like. What makes your child feel good about school? Talk about those activities. Tour the school, playground, lunchroom, etc. so they know what to expect. If you can't get into the classrooms, it's okay to look in the windows. The more time you spend at school, the less anxious your child will be.

Take younger children to school on the first day. Let them know in advance that you will be going with them.
If your children talk about being nervous about school, let them keep talking. Share with them that you get anxious in new situations too (remember your last cocktail/networking party?). Let your children know you are confident that they will be just fine because (fill in the blank here with some of your child�s attributes).

To get back into the swing of things, start reading together a few weeks before school starts. Encourage them to write about your vacation or their most favorite part of the summer.

It is also a good idea to have youngsters go to sleep a little earlier and wake up a little earlier the week before school starts. This will help them stay awake that first week.

Managers: Have a party before school starts so new residents can meet the other children. Seeing familiar faces at the bus stop will help ease anxiety. Also cute: Have a party at the bus stop the first day of school. Serve juice and bagels and introduce children to each other then.

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