collaborative post
Any disruption to a child’s life can be unsettling for them, particularly when it comes to leaving a school environment they’ve gotten used to and having to readjust to a new one. It should therefore be handled carefully and children should be given ample time to prepare for the transition so it goes as smoothly as possible.
Whether your child is moving from primary to secondary school or changing mid-year, learn more about how this might affect them from a prep school in Caterham.
Academic challenges
Although the National Curriculum is the same for all schools, the way in which it’s taught varies. When your child starts a new school they may find that they’re ahead or behind their peers, whereas ideally, you’d want them to be on a par with them. This is because the new school might follow the curriculum in a different order than the previous one.
Teachers also have different teaching styles and your child might find it harder or easier to follow a new teacher’s method. The best thing you can do to support your child through any academic challenges is to encourage them to communicate with you and their teachers about any difficulties they’re facing so you can work together to tackle them as soon as possible.
Social challenges
Your child may be leaving behind friendships they’ve forged with classmates over a number of years which will be upsetting for them. Of course, they can stay in touch with their old classmates, but they’ll need to be open to making new friends at their new school.
You can facilitate this by setting up playdates with new classmates and enrolling your child in extra-curricular activities so they have many opportunities to meet new people and develop friendships. The social side of school can be particularly taxing for kids, so they’ll need lots of support and reassurance from you.
Practical challenges
Moving to a new school might pose practical challenges for you and your child. There might be a new routine for you to get used to if the school is further or nearer than the old one, particularly if the start and finish times are different. Your child might have to get a bus or be driven to school where previously they walked there.
Over time you’ll all get used to the new schedule, but in the meantime try to make it as easier as possible by practising it in advance of the move and making it clear to your child exactly what’s going to happen.
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