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Ten tips for adjusting to a new school

Page 2 of 2
By GreatSchools Staff
 

6. Stock up on supplies. 

On or before the first day of school, make sure you or your child finds out what school supplies and materials are required. Most schools should provide a handy list for the lower grades, but if not, take it upon yourself to ask and then purchase the items as soon as possible. Middle and high school students should bring a notebook and pen or pencil on the first day.

7. Prepare the night before. 

To avoid the morning rush, organize what you can the night before. Lay out clothes, make a lunch and assemble any supplies your child may need. Be sure to get everyone up extra early so you'll have plenty of time to calmly get ready and get out the door on time.

8. Get a healthy start. 

Encourage your child to eat a good breakfast and pack a healthy snack to help her get through the day.

9. Accompany your little one. 

Even if your elementary school child will be riding the bus regularly or walking to school, you may want to take him yourself on the first day, particularly if he seems nervous.

10. Introduce yourselves. 

Young children are often shy with a new teacher. If you take your child to school on the first day, you might want to go into the classroom and introduce your child to the teacher. Let the teacher know about any special interests or challenges that your child has.

Reading books together about school is a good way to establish the reading habit and to start conversations about school excitement and fears. To get you started, here are some suggestions for elementary school-age children:

The Berenstain Bears Go to School, by Stan and Jan Berenstain (Random House, 1978)
Arthur's Teacher Trouble, by Marc Brown (Trumpet, 1986)
The Day the Teacher Went Bananas, by James Howe (Penguin, 1987)
Curious George Goes to School, by Margret Rey (Houghton Mifflin, 1989)

 
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Comments from GreatSchools.org readers

11/2/2009:
"My son is a junior in a new school and district came from a very small district only 3 elementary 1 middle and 1 high been in that system since 4th grade now in new system and the high school is rural area as most kids in the system have poss goge to school for ever . My son is shy very shy and I just found out tonight that he has not bonded or made any friends when I mentions getting involved in clubs or such its like I have sucked the wind out of him . Please some one I as a single mom of a child with a broken lonely heart needs guidance on ovver coming the shyness so as to blossom at home I have the funnest next comic but out there just a sad little boy!"
09/10/2009:
"My daughter who is 11yrs old just started in a new school. She is painfully shy, because of that she doesn't meet friends easily. It pains my heart to see her cry, because she feels so all alone. What can i do?"
08/26/2009:
"im so scared i moved to another state and i have only been here once to look for a house and this article did not help me i dont now what to do and i dont make friends easy cause im shy and i will know no one. plus u have every class everyday and thats 7 pierods!!! before i only had 5 pierods a day. help please!!!!"
08/24/2009:
"I think the best thing for a person to do when going into a new school is relax. I know it's easier said then done but all the other kids there are just like you....afraid. I have been out of school now for seven years. I was the same way scared and wanted to get right back on that bus and go back home to my mom. Relax guys by the end of the day you will have at least three new friends to go through this with tomorrow."
08/24/2009:
"okayyyy, this article is only suitable for kids in elementary. i am a high school student and let me say, NONE of this tips will actually help kids in high school and middle school. The person who wrote this acticle has to see this sfrom the high school and middle school point of view b/c this article is just maily focus on elementary and naive kids"
08/24/2009:
"last year i moved from london to a school in philadelphia where the work was MUCH harder. not to mention i was going into 7th grade, which in my opinion is a terrible time to move a child's school, let alone half way across the world. it was very hard but i pulled through and will be starting 8th grade in the same school this year! moving sucks. its hard on academics and its hard socially. but you just need to take it one day at a time. thats what i did. hope this helps :)"
08/18/2009:
"hi im going to a new school and a new neighbor hood im going into fith grade but these tips stilll dont help me please i need help"
08/18/2009:
"What i would do is eat a good breakfast and get the right school supplies so i can have a great time at my new middle school because i am moving on to 6th grade and was very scared. I am not so scared now that i thought of this things and i looking to a great school year and i will make lots of friends this year.!!!!"
08/11/2009:
"For little ones, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is wonderful story about a little raccoon getting ready to start school. He talks about his fears and worries to his mother and she comes up with a sweet and simple way to help him remember that she loves him and is always thinking about him, even when she's not with him. Great read!"
08/11/2009:
"Hi I'm going to middle school and I'm really scared but some of my friends are going to be in my class. "
08/11/2009:
"bad bad bad bad bad "
08/11/2009:
"useless"
08/11/2009:
"Well this helps for pre-k through 5th grade i.e little kids.That transition from 6th to 7th grade is much more than expectations and triel runs!"
08/3/2009:
"oh pish posh, this is a lame article. kids will adjust eventually, they kind of have to. they will make friends and find their place. it most likely won't happen immediately, it takes time. just tell your kids to be patient."
08/3/2009:
"Hi, Like to have article about, 'How to behave on the School Bus'!!! Bus Driver"
08/3/2009:
"I am going to a high school and i am so nervous becasue that school starts from 6th grade and to -12th so i think that pretty much everybody knows each other over there. I am also nervous because the previous school i have been there since pre-k so this is my fisrt time going to a new school. also i already went to the summer school but i liked it its just that every morning when the bus drops us of our bus is like the second one so i have to wait outside and i see people already with others laughing and having fun so i feel left out because my best firend since pre-k is not going to the same school as i am. by: very sad person :.("
08/3/2009:
"I think that , this is important information to know. Can more info be posted for back to school. There wasn't much tips. "
07/21/2009:
"why were there questions on your survey regarding the current president's handling of the school system? How is that used by you? Thaanks!"
07/21/2009:
"What kind of advice is this? I dont know of anyone who would even follow these ridiculous tips. Parents are too overprotective and meddling these days. And who uses the word 'educative'? I think 'educational' would suffice."
07/7/2009:
"It would be nice to read an article by someone who knows how to use the words 'between' and 'among' properly. Point #1: People make choices 'between' options not 'among' them."
05/5/2009:
"thanks that is great help"
01/2/2009:
"My daughter will be moving into a public school and she is used to private schools. She is nervous that she will not be able to fit in because she is not used to the way public schools are. Any advice?"
07/30/2008:
"Getting your child involved in a sport, such as soccer, which runs concurrent with most new school years, will definately help facilitate friendships for both the children and parents when moving to a new area. I have personal experience with this and highly reccomend the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) because they encourage children from the age of 4 - 19 to participate regardless of experience or lack thereof. When soccer season is over, little league baseball begins. Get your children involved in the new area you reside and they will build new relationships with children in their new schools. A quick interenet search should answer any questions."
07/29/2008:
"I would like some tips on going to a whole new town and new school entirely!"
07/22/2008:
"I would be nice to have some tips for children entering kindergarten"
04/7/2008:
"This article is informative and educative. Thank you."
01/17/2008:
"Pretty good tips! Helped us better prepare for middle school!"
10/25/2007:
"I am just a 11 year old boy.All these tips are good because some kids have problems in school.I sometimes have problems in school but i try stay in class .I try my best to LISTEN,RESPECT and WORK HARD.I WILL DO THEESE TIPS!!!"
09/20/2007:
"Parents with children with add should try this site-www.addinschool.com. Their suggestions should apply to your child. The first days of school are challenging for any kindergartener, especially active children. Give it some time, discover their needs and most will adjust soon enough. Some children are better off starting in first grade, while some could use the structure learned in preschool. If a child is bored because the work isn't challenging, a portion of the day, such as some center time might be spent in a higher grade. For children with add time needed away could be 15 min. or so walking, learning with computer games, (for energy release) and other suggestions mentioned in the site. Try to be selective about tv programming. Also intensify reward system and try reverse rewards. Maybe have a reward before him, and let it await him at the end of each activity. Give ample notice before changing activities. Work with his teacher. Ask the teacher if there are cues to mi! sbehavior and ask what's worked in the past. When initial needs are met it's still all about keeping up and staying involved."
09/12/2007:
"My son has been in school for two weeks, and today, after a frustrating day, I sat down to check out the new school scores. Then I saw this article, with the 09/07/07 comment. I am so glad to know that my 5 year old angel is not the only one who's halo comes loose at school! I am having a hard time with him sitting still, listening to the lessons, and staying in the classroom. He even takes his shoes off! I know his preschool teacher said he was 'active,' and I know that he has energy, but I need to balance this out! We are starting with a hearing test (he is on his 2nd set of ear tubes with 3 failed audiograms)then on to the ADHD screening with the pediatrician. I don't want a zombie from medication, but I also don't want him to fall behind. I want him to enjoy school and excell. He is my first son, so I am new at this. Does anyone have any advice? I will listen to any that is offered! Thank you! "
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