The New Kid on the Block
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 13 million people under the age of 19 move each year. As you can imagine, one of the most difficult aspects of moving for millions of children is the adjustment to a new school. The reality is, when you're new at school, academics are not a priority until you have adjusted and feel comfortable in your surroundings. In the meantime, what you do to ease the transition into school will give comfort and confidence to your child.
Back-To-School Clothes
Wait until you see the local fashion trends before you take your kids shopping for school clothes. Fitting in is very important to kids.
Make Information Accessable
Write down your child's bus number, your new address and the telephone numbers where you can be reached during the day.
Have your child place this information in their backpack or school notebook so they can easily locate it when needed.
Meet Your Child's Teacher
For children in grade school, ask their teacher to assign a buddy during their first week so your child won't be alone at lunch or at recess. For older children, go together and meet their teachers and let them know you are new to the area.
Stress Affects Grades
For the first few weeks. lighten up on the study hours at home. It may be more important at first to make friends and learn about the school.
Volunteer At Your Child's School
Accompany the kids on field trips, bring goodies to class to celebrate special occasions, ask the teacher if you can help tutor or assist them in the classroom, help with picture day or the school carnival, teacher appreciation committees are a great way to meet other parents and teachers.
Being New Can Be Lonely
After school, make sure your children don't come home to an empty house or apartment.
Encourage Participation
The local church usually provides a youth group or AWANA program. Ask other parents about activities their children are involved in and a contact name. Teachers are often a great resource in knowing what their class is involved with at school and in the community.
For teens, technical support for school productions is a great way to plug in since there are many skills needed to manage the lights, sound, and sets.
Keep The Communication Lines Open
Ask younger kids to draw and color pictures of their new school and the people in school. Talk about the pictures; you'll be amazed at what children reveal about themselves through their drawings. Older children need to know they can openly discuss their fears. Make a point of just listening to them, hugging them, and being available for them.
Keep God In Focus
Remember to pray together and share scriptures of encouragement with your kids. God has not abandoned them.
(Excerpted from But Mom, I Don't Want to Move! by Susan Miller)
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