How to Introduce Kids to a New School

There have been a lot of talks going on about the Bangalore school reopening, but as we witness the country undergoing the threats of another lock-down, all the plans of campus learning have been pretty much dissolved. However, the “new normal” has been long accepted, and the lives have been going in accordance. On a similar tone, the virtual schools have also continued to function in full swing and are preparing for the new session of classes to begin. 

As the talks of the new session pop up, many parents would like to switch schools for their children owing to varied reasons. While primarily it was only related to geographic causes, online schooling has erased the boundary for the current times. There are many such reasons, such as teaching methods, student performance, fee structure, curriculum, and even proficiency in conducting online classes.

Whether it is your child’s first day to school or their first day in a new school, the experience can put them under stress and impact their academic performance quite a lot. The stress can happen even if your child is an excellent performer or even if they are high in high school. Leaving behind a known environment, friends, and specifically, the comfort zone can push them into anxiety affecting their overall mental well being. 

Therefore, before they go through the transition, there are things which you can do to help them feel comfortable and confident about the switch to a new environment. 

 

·         Talk it out

As parents, you will make many decisions for your child until they can decide on their own. Doubtlessly what you choose for your child is for their betterment, but they are vulnerable enough to feel that their feelings are being ignored or separated from their known experience. Thus, you must speak to them and make them feel involved in the decision. For example, ask them if they are excited about the new school or are worried. Do they feel anxious and the reasons, or how are they viewing this change. 

Talking it out will help you understand the child’s perspectives and concerns and will allow you to explain why the switch is necessary and how it will help them. 

·         Create the excitement 

One of the ways you can help your child divert from the worries of switching school and take it on a positive note is by making them feel excited about it. Maybe go shopping and let them choose a new backpack or lunch box. Enhance their anticipation by talking about the school’s history and achievement and all extracurricular activities they would participate in once they are in the school. Thus, let them have confident control over their first day at school. 

Suppose you have picked up any of the top CBSE schools in Bangalore, like Millennium World School, Bengaluru North. In that case, you will find many of their activities being posted on social media, and you can also let your child watch the same to build enthusiasm and give them a feeling of knowingness about their new school. 

·         The first day traditions

Have a “first day to school tradition”, even if it is the mid-year when you are switching the school, follow the tradition. The tradition can be anything like a special breakfast, visiting some special place after school, taking a family picture, adding something new to your child’s room, etc. The point is to make the day memorable and lead your child positively. You can also have a small celebration after school is over with a special dinner to mark the new beginning.

The very thought of the day being particular can help a child ease up the stress and anxiety and look forward to it with excitement and positivity. 

·         Visit the school

One of the ways to help your child feel at home in their new learning environment is to acquaint with the campus and teachers beforehand. Most of the CBSE Bangalore schools offer a campus tour before admission, and it is an opportunity not to be missed. Although the campus tours are cancelled in the current times owing to health safety, you can request a virtual meet with the teachers and, if possible, with your peers.

The idea is to prepare them for the first day to feel that they are not entirely unknown to the new people. 

·         Be patient

The switch might appear like a straightforward process for you as an adult, but it might be an emotional upheaval for a child. Thus, your child might react in different ways. For example, they might go quieter than usual or have many questions to ask; sometimes, they might even act irritated. So, remember that they are reacting towards a new environment, and hence it is you have to keep your composer to make the transition easier. 

Keep your patience and understand they are trying to adjust to a new environment, new arrangements, and new people.  

Now your child has started going to a new school, but it doesn’t mean the stress period is over. You might have to watch out for your child for any kind of behavioral change. You might keep the following signs:

·         Refusing to go to school.

·         Throwing tantrums when talked about school or studies

·         Needing more attention than usual.

·         Changes in sleep or eating habits.

If you notice any similar changes, the situation might be looked in gravely as it might imply that the transition is not so great. Instead, you might talk to the teachers and try to understand or address your child’s reason for discomfort. 

Schools generally have counselors or designated faculty members to help the students comfort during the difficult transition period. Almost all the top CBSEschools in Bangalore have designated counselors or faculty members to make sure the new students are well taken care of. Further, the schools also conduct various induction and orientation programs for the kids when they join fresh to make sure they feel at home. 

Schools like Millennium, one of the top CBSE schools in Bangalore, take special care in making the students both in the campus and in the virtual classes to make sure that the students are feeling at home and enjoying their academic journey.