Helping my son feel less anxious about starting a new school

[Voltefarce]

My son (age 5) has just completed reception, and will be moving schools in September for year one. Up until now he has been excited about the new school, and he’s been there for two taster days. He’s now getting very nervous about moving and is saying that he doesn’t want to change.

I would be grateful if anyone has any good recommendations for how we can help him with this transition. We are going to practice the school run a few times before term starts so he knows what the journey will be like (it’s a bit further away than his current school). We also thought we could try booking in some play dates with his current friends so that he knows he can still see them.

Thank you!

I think just validating that feeling nervous is ok, and that it's because it's new not because something is wrong can help.

I know that you probably want to prep him with the School run practice but honestly I would just stop mentioning it now, especially if he’s nervous.

I'd just say, 'It is normal to feel a bit anxious when we start something new. Everyone does. Soon it will be familiar to you.' Maybe do things that lessen the physical anxiety - gentle exercise like going to the playpark, or playing frisbee with him, cycling or swimming or kicking a ball about. Watching a cosy movie that he likes. Keep everything else familiar: his favourite foods, TV shows, bedtime storybooks, toys, his normal routines.

Depends on the child. A PP said might be better to not focus on it, but some DC feel better if you do familiarise them. Practise the route, and spot some nice things on the way, such as a shop you could stop at to buy him a comic on the way home after school, or a playpark you could play in for a while. Remind him of his new teacher's name and the school's name. Maybe look at it on the website a bit, so he can see interesting things that go on there, maybe photos of the playground or assembly hall or dining room.

I would think that the most important thing to do would be to reassure him that feeling nervous about a new school was absolutely normal and that everyone will feel it.

Of course, speak positively about the school and the new friends he will make and activities to look forward to but nerves aren’t something to be “got over”, we build resilience by feeling nerves and doing it anyway