Just as adults are anxious about moving to a new job, children can feel the same anxiety when changing schools. Therefore, it is important for Mother to accompany the Little One as he adapts to his new school environment.
In contrast to children who will take a new level of education, children who have just moved schools in the middle of the school year are likely to feel more anxious. He may be worried that his classmates and teachers will please him? Can he be accepted as an “immigrant”? Can he still play like before?
It is very important for you to be by your little one's side during these times. This is because the experience of changing schools may determine how he will face transitional periods in the future.
Adaptation before Changing Schools
Before your child's worries overwhelm his excitement or curiosity, it's a good idea to help him deal with his new environment before he changes schools.
In addition, there are several things that you also need to prepare before your little one moves schools, namely:
1. Plan time to move
If possible, it is better for children to change schools at the beginning of a new level of education, for example grade 1 SD or grade 1 SMP. Moving at the beginning of the new school year is also better than when the learning process is already underway.
At this time, all children are new students, so Little One is not the only new child. That way, he will not feel alienated from his friends.
However, if your little one really has to move in the middle of their education level or when other children have already entered school, you can invite them to take a new school survey. Let your little one choose the new school he wants to go to.
2. Introduce the child to the teacher
After getting to school, you can introduce your little one to the teachers, especially the homeroom teacher later. This is done so that your little one can get to know and feel more familiar with the new faces he will meet later. In order to learn well, children need to feel connected and close to their teachers.
In addition, before your little one enters school, you can also talk about things the teacher needs to know about your little one, such as his character, the things he is interested in, or what his weaknesses are. The collaboration between parents and teachers is important so that the pattern of mentoring children can be in line.
3. Discussion with children
It is also important to discuss with the child about his school transfer plan. At this moment, you can give your little one a children's book that tells about changing schools. By reading the book, your little one can have an idea about changing schools.
You can also open a conversation about what your little one wants to do when he changes schools or what things he is worried about. If necessary, teach him tips for dealing with his fears. For example, teach your little one how to get acquainted and open a conversation if he is afraid of not having friends.
Adaptation after Changing Schools
After a child changes schools, there are several things parents can do to assist him, including:
1. Invite children to do various activities at their new school
After entering school, you can invite your little one to actively participate in extracurricular activities that he likes or other events, such as a classmate's birthday invitation. That way, it will be easier for him to make new friends and be able to adjust to new situations.
2. Give your child access to old friends
Even though you are no longer in school at the old school, you should still give your little one access to connect with friends at the old school. Thus, he will not feel alone and disconnected from his old world. In addition, this can also reduce stress in children during their adaptation period.
3. Train the child to solve the problem
What is no less important for you to do is train your child to solve his own problems while he is adapting. For example, if he doesn't know the agenda or certain rules at his school, ask him to ask his own teacher. Don't even ask him this. However, of course this needs to be adjusted to the age and condition of the Little One.
4. Give support to children
Mothers need to make children comfortable to express their feelings from day to day, be it happy or sad feelings. After that, just talk about what things need to be done to deal with these feelings.
If your little one is less open, you can start by asking questions. For example, “What extracurricular activities do you find interesting?” or “Which friend do you often play with?”
If your little one tells that he has a new friend, Mother can invite his new friend to play at home or play together on holidays, of course by contacting his parents first, yes, Bun. That way, the child can be closer to his new friends.
With proper assistance from parents, it is hoped that children can be confident in undergoing their adaptation period to their new school environment. This experience is then expected to be a provision for children to enter the next stage.
However, if your little one seems to have difficulty adapting to their new school, even to the point of experiencing anxiety, decreased achievement, or even depression, don't hesitate to consult a psychologist, OK, Bun.
