Supporting Your Child Through School Transitions

Every child responds differently to change. Some reactions may appear immediately, while others develop over time.

Your child may experience:

• Sadness about leaving familiar teachers, friends, or routines
• Anxiety about a new school or making new friends
• Anger or frustration about changes outside of their control
• Excitement about new opportunities
• Increased clinginess (especially in younger children)
• Changes in mood or behavior
• Difficulty concentrating
• Temporary changes in sleep or appetite

These reactions are often a normal part of adjusting to significant change.

Consistent routines help children feel safe during times of uncertainty.

Try to:

• Keep regular bedtimes and wake times.
• Continue family traditions and activities.
• Maintain homework and after-school routines.
• Plan opportunities for relaxation and fun.

Predictability helps reduce stress and promotes resilience.

Create opportunities for your child to talk about their thoughts and feelings.

Helpful conversation starters include:

• "What feels hardest as you think about your school closing?"
• "Is there anything you are looking forward to as you think about going to a new school?"
• "What questions do you have for me right now?"
• "How can I support you?"

Remember:

• Listen without rushing to solve the problem.
• Validate your child's feelings.
• Let them know it is okay to have mixed emotions.
• Reassure them that many students feel this way during transitions.

Sometimes simply being heard is the most powerful support.

Help your child by:

• Teaching strategies to manage emotions, such as connecting with friends and family, engaging in healthy activities, practicing gratitude, and showing generosity by doing kind things for others.
• Teaching students to focus on what they can control, such as their thoughts, reactions, choices, and actions, rather than situations or behaviors outside of their control. For example, helping students identify what is within their control and choose a healthy response, such as taking a break, using a coping skill, asking for help, or deciding how they want to respond to a difficult situation. 
• Breaking large worries into smaller, manageable steps.
• Celebrating small successes throughout the transition.
• Participate in planned opportunities for school transitions

Model calm and confident behavior. Children often take emotional cues from trusted adults.

While most children adjust over time, additional support may be helpful if concerns continue for several weeks or significantly interfere with daily life.  We have support at school.

Consider reaching out if your child experiences:

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness
• Excessive anxiety that does not improve
• Frequent school refusal
• Significant withdrawal from friends or family
• Ongoing sleep difficulties
• Major changes in eating habits
• Declining academic performance
• Increased irritability or anger
• Statements about wanting to hurt themselves or feeling like they do not matter