Evaluating Schools When Moving – How to Involve Your Child

 

House hunting is exciting and most likely, your child is excited along with you. They love to explore the possible bedrooms and dip their toes in the big backyard pool. However, when it comes to changing schools, their enthusiasm may start to wane. This might not be instantly apparent, and they may not have even thought about what a move would mean to them if they needed to change schools. But involving your child during the home hunting itself can help make the move easier. 

First, start discussing the school change in the very beginning. Explain why you are moving and the benefit to the family. Explain that they will get to see possible new homes and new schools. Reassure them that the quality of the school and opportunities it can offer are prime concerns of yours as well as the impact it will have on the child. 

Share the process you will take to research the schools and share the results. Spend some time discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the various options and discuss how the change might affect the child. Take them on a school tour and help them prepare some questions of their own during the visit. Consider creating a checklist for your child to use to learn more about the classrooms, teachers, activities, and children. Spend some time discussing their opinions and feedback as soon as you finish. 

Moving can be a very exciting time, but children do not always understand or express how change affects them. School is a huge part of their life and social world, so spend the time to ensure the change is a positive one by involving the child from the very beginning.