School going children.[Photo/pinterest]
The New Year is here with us and new chapters will be opened in the lives of many children. Some will be going to new schools for various reasons such as if the parent or child is unhappy or unsatisfied with the old school, if the parent’s financial circumstances change, among others. However, the transition to a new school is never easy.
The children may not wrap their minds around what exactly is happening and they may resist change and feel stressed about changing schools.
As parents transfer their children to new schools, it is important they talk to them about it. Let the children be involved in the decision making. It makes everything much easier and when the children agree with the parents, they even excel.
A systemic approach when applied works wonders. The child may resort to anger and hatred, but by simply walking them through the why and how, they get it. The systemic approach calls for a parent to explain to a child step by step. In some extreme cases, counseling can come in handy. Both a parent and a child need this.
No one wants the situation to escalate, so better curb it early. All they need is understanding why they are changing schools, joining boarding or kindergarten. Harassing them into a parent/guardian’s preference will only drive a wedge between them.
Under most circumstances, your child won’t be alone in changing schools. Urge him/her to find the new students as it would be easier to make friends with them. In short, it’s normal for your child to feel a bit nervous, but they will definitely won’t be the only one they would be in good company.