dgraab
,
Parent
asks:
Q:
How to optimize move to a new school for a 2nd grader?
This fall, we are switching schools for our daughter due to a move into a new neighborhood. She will be going into second grade, and the new school is one of the best performing public elementary schools in our town, has an active PTA/parent community, and offers a clean, safe, ocean-view campus.
Unfortunately, though, our daughter has been tearful at the thought of not being at her current school with the kids, teachers and school community she's known since kindergarten. Thankfully at the new school, there are 7 kids she's known since she was a baby (they are close family friends), and that's brought some reassurances for her that things are going to be ok.
Do you have other suggestions for how we can optimize this transition for our daughter?
I've read the Education.com article, When Families Move: Helping Children Adjust, by the NYU Child Study Center ( http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_... ), so will be taking that advice into account as well.
What else do you suggest?
In Topics:
Back to school, Parenting / Our Family, Children and stress
Unfortunately, though, our daughter has been tearful at the thought of not being at her current school with the kids, teachers and school community she's known since kindergarten. Thankfully at the new school, there are 7 kids she's known since she was a baby (they are close family friends), and that's brought some reassurances for her that things are going to be ok.
Do you have other suggestions for how we can optimize this transition for our daughter?
I've read the Education.com article, When Families Move: Helping Children Adjust, by the NYU Child Study Center ( http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_... ), so will be taking that advice into account as well.
What else do you suggest?
> 60 days ago
What the Expert Says:
Best Answer!
what's this?from a fellow member
Additional Answers (2)
The winds of change have often been frowned upon and some kids welcome it with open arms and others are more grounded. I would first schedule an appointment with the school and ask them if they can give your child a tour this summer. Take her out to the playground and play for a couple of Saturdays. This is a good way to get on the child's level. Another thing would be to make sure she has a chance to bid old buddies farewell. An after-school/moving party is a good idea. Maybe you could work out a special arrangement with the present school to give out invitations. Finally, a good book about moving would reassure her too. I think of one off the top of my head but there is one that the Girl Scouts issued about moving.
http://www.girlscoutshop.com/GSUSAOnline
/GSProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=Brownie%2fJunior+Girl+Scout+Let%2
7s+Get+Movin%27+Booklet%3a+New+Address...New+Friends
"New Address...New Friends"
Even though its a Brownie book, you can still order yourself off the site. Also, it comes with a special patch ;)
http://www.girlscoutshop.com/GSUSAOnline
/GSProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=Brownie%2fJunior+Girl+Scout+Let%2
7s+Get+Movin%27+Booklet%3a+New+Address...New+Friends
"New Address...New Friends"
Even though its a Brownie book, you can still order yourself off the site. Also, it comes with a special patch ;)
> 60 days ago
Try reading "Harry the Happy Caterpillar Grows" with your child.The story centers on Harry,a caterpillar that has a fantastic life full of games, friends, school and leaf eating. He is stunned when, one day at caterpillar school, he learns that he is expected to build a chrysalis and become a butterfly. Harry vows to remain a caterpillar forever, as his friends build their chrysalises and move on. Eventually, Harry learns to accept change as a necessary part of life, and joins his friends as a butterfly. There are tips in the back of the book to help parents and educators use the story as a vehicle to help kids talk about their feelings about change, and teach them coping strategies to manage their anxiety.
Resources:
> 60 days ago
