Jana gregorio
Starting a new school year is an exciting time for many children, but it can also bring stress and anxiety. This can be particularly true for newcomer children transitioning to learning in a Canadian school, as they have unique concerns such as making friends in a new place and learning a new culture. Here are eight useful tips for helping ease your newcomer child’s transition into a Canadian school and set them up for a positive experience.
Begin Following a Routine
Children respond quite well to routines. Having a routine can help reduce anxiety and stress as your child knows what to expect each day. Do some research in advance to get a sense of your child’s school routine. When is lunch? When do classes transition? Helping your student understand this ahead of time can be useful. Additionally, develop a morning routine at home that mirrors what your child will do once school starts. This can help ease the transition.
Ensure Your Child Gets Enough Sleep
An essential aspect of your child’s academic success is their nighttime routine. In fact, many people are surprised at the importance of getting enough sleep. It can help students focus, lower their stress, and become prepared for academic success. Children under 12 typically need at least nine hours each night, while those 13 to 18 tend to need at least eight hours.
Tour the School
This tip may not always be possible and will likely vary depending on your child’s school. However, many schools will happily arrange for you to do a tour prior to the first day of classes. For newcomer children, this can help them feel more comfortable in their environment. They will understand the school’s layout, including where to find bathrooms, offices, and classrooms. Your child may also be able to meet teachers or administration.
Encourage Extracurricular Activities
An important part of transitioning to a new school is feeling connected to the new environment. Encouraging your child to join extracurricular activities is a great way to help facilitate this. School clubs and sports provide your child with the opportunity to pursue an interest while also helping them grow a larger social circle. Schools in Canada offer many activities, such as sports, theatre, choir, book clubs, and more.
Ask Your Child About Their Day
Once your child has started school, be sure to make time to actively chat with them about the school experience. Ask them how their day went, what classes they enjoyed, what they learned, and other things. Finding time to do this is a great way to provide an additional outlet for your child to process the experience of transitioning to a new school. It can also encourage your child to bring any concerns to you.
Prepare Your Kids to Accept Students from Many Cultures
One of the great things about Canadian schools is that many are quite diverse. This means your child will be interacting with peers from many different places, including other newcomer children to Canada. Help your child understand the importance of being open to people with different backgrounds, religions, and traditions. This can include chatting about stereotyping, discrimination, and other things.
Advocate for Your Child
While your child’s school has their best interests at heart, parents will sometimes need to advocate for their children. If your child has any special needs or concerns, feel free to discuss these with their teacher or administration. You want to be sure that your child is set up for success. Sometimes, this means chatting with their teacher to resolve any concerns or needs your student has.
Transitioning to a new school as a newcomer to Canada presents many challenges for newcomer children. These eight tips can help ensure your child’s success.
