Morolake Ojuola
The new session begins in a few days or weeks and our lush kids will be moving to new classes, different environments, new sitting positions, new teachers and maybe even new schools. It’s important to prepare them ahead for the myriad of change coming to allow for a smooth and hitch free transition. In this article, I share 8 tips to help you have that back to School and “Now you’re going to a New Class conversation with your kids. It also includes Book Recommendations that could help with the process.
Change isn’t easy for anyone and that includes children. Most times they will express this fear in very unusual way. Cries, attachment, refusing to get out of the car etc. For teenagers they might just internalize the fear because they may not be able to fully articulate how they feel. This could affect their academic output In the long run. That’s why we need to approach this discussion with grace and wisdom.
Here are a few things we think can help with the process.
1. Prepare together for the new class – Go shopping together, arrange the school supplies for the new class together. Talk about the new teacher, the people or friends your child is likely to meet. Pay attention to how your child is feeling about the new class so you can know how to approach things. If there are old faces, remind them “oh your former classmate is going to be in this class with you”. @inlushmeadowkids, we believe in using fun ways to get the attention of kids
2. Create time to have the Conversation. Don’t assume your child would just get along – After the fun shopping, it is time to have a proper conversation. Nothing serious so having it over good food or just after they’ve done something they love is a very good idea. Or chip it into conversations – “you’re going to a new class now… There will be new subjects, new teachers“… Ask about their fears or worries. Goals & aspirations for the new session. Which areas do they want to focus on? etc. When the goals or plans come from them it’s easier to hold them accountable. After all it came from them.
3.Good things take time. Remind your kids that – Becoming a Master at anything takes time, dedication and practice. Let them know that as they go to new classes to face new subjects it may be rough initially but it will get better with time – Use analogies to reiterate this. E.g ” Remember how when you started learning to swim or play the piano or cook that meal with me? It was difficult at first Right? Exactly. Doing anything new, can sometimes be difficult initially but eventually it will get better. Letting them know this will build their shock absorbing skills when they eventually encounter challenges.
Depending on the ages of your kids, you can use Books like The Hungry Caterpillar and use the fact that the caterpillar became a butterfly i.e the caterpillar went through a process and eventually became a butterfly, The Kola Who Could, Mole goes to School etc.
4. Be on the Offensive – Establish and agree on your Family Values and the overall family behavior expected in situations. For instance, in this house no matter what happens, we do not tell lies. So no matter how difficult the situation is, this term I expect that you won’t tell lies. Agree on expected behavior Write it down and discuss.
5. Territory Mapping is important – Take a Walk or Drive to School and if possible visit the new class ahead. This is Just to have an idea of the territory and familiarize your child with the new environment. Some schools allow this a week before resumption but even if you are not able to go inside the school, take a walk around the school and as you walk around keep praying and declaring – This land will not take my child from me. It will not turn my child into a monster.
6. Give the Kids Time! – Please and please give these children time to adjust and provide all the support necessary to help them adjust – For instance, you can ask a family member who they feel comfortable with to walk them to school if you’re unable to do so yourself or take turns between you and your spouse to personally drop them off at school until they feel confident to be dropped off by anyone. I love the German system for this. Pre school children have to go through something called –eingewöhnung. You can read more about it here. This is an acclamatization or settling in period which can be from 1 to 8 weeks. During this time a mother will stay with the child everyday for a few hours then gradually separate for 15 to 30 minutes daily until the child fully settles in. It can be quite demanding for working mothers but the benefits are far reaching. I understand that this is not possible in many countries so just do what you can.
7. Start praying ahead – If you know the class of your child you can start praying specific targeted prayers – Lord , as my child goes to __ (Primary 3 B) or (sweet Marshmallows class), we ask you to go ahead of him.
Pray for the new teacher as well. Teachers are human beings like you who have rough days, difficult seasons and this can sometimes affect how they interact with kids. Pray that God keeps the teacher, inspires and gives them ideas on how best to deal with new students
8. Sow the seed of Kindness. – Do a small “Nice to meet you card” for other students in your child class and If possible the teachers. Nothing fancy just a nice little card with – “Hello My name is XYZ, I’m glad to be in this class with you. Hope you enjoyed the holiday”.
Book Recommendations
We hope you found this article useful. Feel free to share more thoughts and comments. Follow us on Social Media here and share with a friend. Join the email community to get tips like this. With Love, Morolake