How Does Switching from One School to Another Affect Your Child?

During the course of academic life, your child may switch school for some reason. It could be because of family moving to new location, children going to high school or college as their current school don’t offer that degree, or maybe the parent feels that the current school is not good enough for their children. Whatever the reason is, it has negative impact on your child and the consequences can affect their learning journey. 

A U.S. study has found out that 35% of children who move frequently are more likely to fail a grade. Furthermore, switching school during secondary schooling puts children at risk of dropping out.

In this article, we will discuss the possible negative impact of switching school and some pointers to help parents and children cope up with the challenges. 

Academic and Curriculum Changes

With the switch to a new school, your child could be ahead or behind the new class. Curriculum can vary from one school district to the next. Therefore, students’ skills and competencies may fall short or may exceed those of peers if they have taken advanced curriculum such as International Curricula for instance. Teachers also have different methods of teaching which may be unfamiliar to the new student.

Social Challenges

Strong collaboration with peers is one of the factors of a student success in school. This would take time to build what more for children who keeps on switching schools. The thought of establishing new friendships all over again can be quite traumatic for a child. It’s a sad truth as they should not be feeling such heartbreak at a very young age. 

Classroom Adjustment

Apparently, the new student is not the only one affected in the transition but also the whole class. Teachers need to take some time to absorb new kids into the classroom. Other students also have to adjust to these new personalities. This can delay lessons which is not good especially to the new kid.

How to Minimize the Negative Impact of Changing Schools

1. Explain to them the reason for the move and what made you decide to move them to new school. 
2. Let them know the possible impact the move to new school will bring while highlighting the positive and greater things to come. Don’t promise them anything that you are not sure about. 
3. Show your child how confident you are that everything will be fine. That will make them feel safe and confident as well. 
4. Get more involved with academics. Get to know their teachers and classmates as well as participate in different activities available in school. 
5. Let your child engage in extracurricular activities to discover new hobbies, skills, as well as friends. 

Changing schools is a complex problem most especially to children. It has emotional impact you may tend to overlook. Leaving previous life they are used to can be extremely heartbreaking. But quickly adapting to the new school is possible. As parents, you just have to discuss beforehand the sudden changes that can happen and always make them feel you’re there for them.