Whether it’s because the family has moved, the school district shifted or just because your student is switching from elementary to middle or middle to high school, starting a new school can be stressful. Here are some tips to keep everyone on an even keel during the transition.

Acknowledge their feelings:

Make sure your child feels seen and heard. Validate their feelings of fear, but also encourage them to embrace the adventure ahead of them.

Ask questions:

Let your students talk about their concerns and work with them to find solutions to their problems.

Talk to the school:

Share your concerns with your child’s teachers and let them share their expertise with you. They can help your child focus on what they like to do instead of the scary feelings of being in a new school.

Practice makes perfect:

Practice your new routine.

Walk to the school or the bus stop. Have them meet their teachers ahead of time. Attend orientations or other events meant to acquaint you with their new school.

Establish routines in advance:

Start your school routines well before the first day to give your student time to adjust to the new routine. If they’re starting kindergarten, make sure they can do things on their own like wash their hands and open their lunch items.

Start a calendar:

Help your student plan their time by giving them a planner or calendar and helping them set it up. For littles, consider a visual calendar that will help them see what their day will be like.

Lead by example:

Children pick up on your energy. If you’re anxious, try to work that out with friends or family or your partner, not the kid. Focus on the positive about the new school with them and ask them open-ended questions that allow them to fully express their feelings and opinions.

Talk to someone:

Make sure your student has someone they can talk to, especially someone that can relate to what they’re going through. This can be a sibling, an older family friend or family member, or anyone else they (and you) trust to help them through it.