Emotionally adjusting to a new grade

A new grade can be daunting and as a parent, you do all you can to prepare your child when they move from one grade to another. As discussed in a previous blog post in the ‘Parenting’ section, there are several things you can do to prepare your child.

Here, we will be talking about what you can do once your child has moved into a new grade or shifted to a new school or campus. It is important to understand that children too, feel bouts of anxiety. They may not rationalize it as most adults do, but the tightening knot in their stomach, a sense of panic, and discomfort should not be brushed aside.

Anxiety in children is not discussed as much as it should be. As a parent, it is important to be tuned into your child’s feeling as they move up from one grade to another. The addition of new subjects, maybe an additional language, change of teachers and classmates can create a sense of worry in the most relaxed and confident of children.

If you find your child uneasy, on edge or unhappy, it is important to open a dialogue with them to understand what they are going through. Dismissing their fears of the added burdens that come with a new grade is unfair and it does not do them any good.

Moving up a grade?

A child must be reminded of many things while moving up a grade or to a new campus

1. You are there for them no matter what and that you are available as a support system for whatever comes their way. A majority of children associate going up a grade with growing up – where they increasingly refrain from asking for help or support. Remind them that it doesn’t have to be that way.
2. Their class teacher or even subject teachers are there to help. More often than not, children grow comfortable with their teachers and find it difficult when a new class teacher is assigned to them. Give your child a month to become accustomed to the new teacher and if they are still finding difficulty in doing so, find out what the problem is. If there is something in particular making them uncomfortable about their new class or teacher, make sure you are in the loop. If it is something worth discussing with their teacher, make an appointment and do so.