Adjusting to school

A new school can be hard for children

Ways to help your child adjust

There are many ways that you can help your child make friends and become familiar with the neighbourhood. You can go with your child to explore the places where he or she can play safely. You can also take your child to visit libraries, school playgrounds and recreation centres where other children play.

Get to know your neighbours so your child can see you making friends. Talk to your child about their new friends and learn the friends’ names. You may also want to allow your child to invite a friend to your home and make arrangements with the friend’s parents.

Dealing with anxiety

Your child may feel anxious about starting school in a new country and learning a new language. Anxiety can affect the way your child thinks and feels. Your child may not even know that they are suffering from anxiety. Some symptoms of anxiety include stomach aches, headaches, tiredness, aggressiveness, sadness and silence.

Help your child overcome anxiety

One of the most important things you can do to help your child with anxiety is talk with them about how they are feeling. Talk about how it has felt for you to move to a new country. Above all, let your child know that such feelings are normal when you are making big changes in your life.

Encourage your child to talk about what happens at school. Ask them a question to start the conversation and then listen attentively. If your child knows that they have your support and can talk to you about their feelings, they will have a much easier time dealing with anxiety.

Has your family been through other difficult times?

If so, point out to your child that they made it through, and will make it through this time as well. Even completing the first two months of school is a huge success for your child. Let them know what a good job they are doing with this challenge.

Finding help in your community

If you need help supporting your child in adjusting to school in Canada, you can talk to your child’s teacher. Most teachers will be happy to work with you to help your child feel comfortable. You can also contact an immigrant-serving organization to find out what resources are available in your community.

Learn more about:

• Arrive prepared
• Structure of schools
• Classroom environment
• Choosing a school
• Getting involved
• Adult education