Afraid of being the new kid in school? 7 tips for parents from Racine

RACINE, WI – Being the new kid in school can be daunting. With the start of school just around the corner for students in the Racine Unified School District, the Racine County Eye wants to offer some helpful tips for kids starting the year at a new school.

Here are some tips to help your child settle in:

• Acknowledge your feelings: Make it clear to your child that it’s OK to be scared and make them feel “seen and heard,” according to PBS for Parents. It’s also important to make it clear to your child that you can still be nervous and do the things you’re nervous about, school counselor Bill Reaume told PBS.
• Consider the transition as an adventure: Having a positive attitude toward changing schools can be very helpful, according to PBS. It can be helpful to set small goals and talk excitedly about the transition to a new school. For example, this could include learning a new child’s name every day or trying a new game.
• Ask questions: When discussing the change, be open and honest about why your child is moving to the new school. Then ask your child what they’re concerned about about the new school, says Akron Children’s. And when school starts again, continue to check in with your child, asking questions like: What was the best and worst thing about the day?
• Let your child visit the school and classroom: In Racine, all elementary schools and schools for grades 1-8 will hold open houses on Thursday evening, Aug. 29, said Jonalee Kuhn, communications manager for the Racine Unified School District. Open houses have already been held for high school students.
• Contact with teachers: Communication with teachers is important, and letting them know if your child is having difficulty making the transition is also a key to success, according to Akron Children’s website.
• Back to school shopping: Let your child choose their own backpack, lunchbox and/or clothes. According to Pathways.org, this can help them feel more confident about returning to school.
• Join us: If possible, consider volunteering at your child’s school or offering to coach a sport or other activity at the school. Get to know the parents at the school and try to involve them in activities there, says Pathways. Getting your child involved in a club, activity or day camp that other students at his school are participating in will also help him make friends before school starts.

Learn more in our back-to-school guide.