How To Help Your Child Cope Up With School Transitions?
Many children struggle with transitions which are common triggers for behaviors that range from annoyance, whining, and stalling to upsetting tantrums and meltdowns. Changing schools, leaving friends, and moving causes great anxiety among them. Some take it well whereas some can’t. Transitions for some students result in academic difficulties, emotional problems, poor motivation, decreased attendance, and increased dropout rates.
When children are made to change schools, they are confronted by standards of behavior, teacher expectations, and social pressure to fit in with their peers. Additionally, children who cannot speak the predominant language at school face an additional challenge. That is one way of looking at it; If children are well-versed in coping strategies, transitional periods can offer great opportunities for growth.
The right assistance and guidance can make the entire process smooth, happening and be fruitful for them. There are many ways parents and teachers can help kids have an easier time but it requires a couple of experiments to figure out what works best with each particular kid. They can collaborate, plan and support student transitions by acknowledging their concerns and by creating a sense of belonging in the new environment.
Here’s a list of strategies to help children cope with transitions
Acknowledge their feelings – Transition in itself is a difficult process, and with young children having to experience it, it gets all the scarier for them. Talk it out, listen to their views, acknowledge their feelings, and try to show them the positive sides of it. For instance, building excitement in them about having more friends, new teachers, a new playground, and a big library full of their favourite books might cheer them up.
Reduce Anticipation – A child’s mind runs riot imagining all the good and the bad that can encounter them in an alien environment. Take them on a tour of their new school, and notice the behavioural changes in them, such as being clingy, angry, or irritated. Lastly, give positive insights on the transition from a personal experience, either yours, their siblings, or a close friend/relative.
Set Realistic Expectations – Do not picture a fantasy-like image in their mind. Settling in a new place takes time, they might feel out of place, take time in building relations, and face difficulty in coping academically. Let them know that it is a part of the entire process and it is okay to feel that way. Encourage them to enroll in various skill-building programs. Most importantly, believing in oneself is extremely important. The children must know that teachers are always going to be around to help and guide them.
Be available throughout – Understand that your child may need extra time, attention, and support. When there is a change, they may regress to an earlier developmental stage. During difficult times, families are a necessary source of love and support – spend more family time. Be respectful of their emotions, their concern might be minor to you but to them, it can be a major crisis.
Explore ways to cope with concerns – Since it will be a significantly new environment for your kid, they naturally might not be as expressive. Make sure you are asking important questions like, ”how was school?”, “did you make any friends?”, “you seem sad”, or “Is something troubling you?” Remind them that adjustments take time and the initial days in a new school are often overwhelming. Your attitude can help your child; let them know you are confident in their ability to adjust well.