Helping Your Child Adjust a New School

Carol Raines Drummond, Ph.D.
cdrummond@mindspring.com

(404) 760-0020

• Try to make contact with some of the families at your child’s new school and invite children over for play dates so that your child will see familiar faces on the first day of school.
  
• Attend activities early in the school year – events for new families, classroom visitation, and other school functions. This provides you the opportunity to meet families and become aware volunteer activities at your child’s school.. Sign up to work on committees – it is the best way to meet people and feel a part of the school.
  
• Get to know your children’s teachers. Sign up for field trips and class parties – this is especially important for Dads who often feel out of the loop of their children’s lives. I am often amazed at the number of fathers who don’t know the names of their children’s teachers. Dads, your children will so appreciate your participation and involvement in their lives.
  
• Let the teachers know of any area of expertise that you can share. From reading to 3-year-olds to sharing your work or hobbies with classes of older children, parents can offer much and children love to see their parents involved. Enjoy this while you can – beginning in middle school your children frequently want you to be invisible at school! (Personal and professional experience).
  
• After the school year begins, accept and encourage one-on-one play dates to help your child form friendships with classmates. Fridays tend to be the best day to have friends over, especially for older children.
  
• Expect an adjustment period as your child enters a new school. Ask about their day in specific terms. Typically, if you ask general questions about your child’s day, the response will be “fine”. Monitor sleep, mood, and resistance to go to school, and if you have any concerns, contact me or your child’s teacher. I typically meet with the new students in first grade and up for the first few weeks to ensure that they are getting into the swing of things. I will contact you with feedback if I have concerns.

Reprinted with permission from Trinity School.