We’ve had a great first week and students have now been moved into their new classes. This is an exciting time but it can also produce anxiety for some children, especially if their new class placement is different from what they were hoping. Should that be the case, here are some tips to help children adjust to their new teachers and classrooms:
Keep an open mind —in most cases, when the adults who surround the child have an open mind, it very often turns out to be a good match. When the concern lies with your child, one strategy that works well is to “normalize” the situation – acknowledging that some anxiety around a new class is normal and experienced by most students. Reassure your child that “others might be feeling the same way and are managing and I know you can too”.
Help your child build resiliency – Some children are just more sensitive to change and September can be a challenging time for them. These children can be highly impacted by the emotions of their parents and guardians. You can help your child adapt to new situations by remaining calm and reassuring them that it is normal to be nervous or uncertain, but that you believe in their ability to work through their emotions. Telling your child “I know you can handle this and your teacher is here to support you” will help to build your child’s resiliency and ensure that they are able to adapt to the changes that are a natural part of life.
Give it some time – Before making assumptions or jumping to conclusions, giving your child a a week or two to settle in can make a huge difference. Very often, once they have had enough time to bond with their teacher and classmates, concerns almost always resolve themselves on their own.
Talk to your child’s teacher – Your child’s teacher can give you can accurate picture of how your child is coping on a daily basis in the classroom. Working together with your child’s teacher will help to optimize your child’s learning experience and build trust.