Help Children to Eliminate Their Worries when Moving to New School

Moving from nursery to Primary School, or even Primary to Secondary can be a big change for children. It can be daunting to meet new people and have to make new friends.

Let's all try and make the process easier for everyone involved:

Plan: If you a parent make sure that your child has the right uniform and books - there's nothing more embarrassing than them going to school only to have some kind of unwanted attention drawn to them. Also, don't forget to get up early! If you are a teacher: organise some games and activities for your new class. Be dynamic - children are interested in different things, so try and think of options for a wide audience e.g - think of activities that are good for both boys and girls.

Communicate: Parents, talk to your children about their worries and feelings about moving schools - no matter how old they are- do not just ignore it. They may have anxieties and concerns and if you don't ask them, this may harm their confidence. Teachers, use induction day as an opportunity to sniff out the personalities in your new class and tailor your communication choice to the type of individual. For example, more confident students may be best to be communicated with in front of others. Shier students may need a little more individual attention.

Excite: If you are a parent, be positive. Use positive statements to talk about their day - even if they may be in a strange mood. E.g - "I bet you are excited about going to a new school" as opposed to "You're not nervous are you...?" Teachers, inform your class of all of the fantastic opportunities available to your students. As before, make these comments as varied as possible as to target everyone. Inform them of broad opportunities and more specific, individual ones that might light up a few eyes in the shier pupils.

Encourage: Parents, think of ways to motivate your child. This may be letting them know you will cook them their favourite dinner for when they return or some kind of reward for the weekend, so they can be thinking of something happy that happens in the near future rather than worrying about your first day. Teachers, steer clear of competitive sports. Games are a great way to get a team atmosphere going but why not try something like movement, where there is no "right or wrong" way of doing it, so that everyone will be starting school from an even playing field?

Relax: Parents, incorporate some relaxation into your child's day - a bit of chill out time in the evening could be a lovely way to finish the day after all of the excitement experienced. Teachers, after lunch or in between subjects, try some relaxing breathing exercises so that the children can ground themselves and control their emotions half way through the day.