Top Factors That Signal When to Change Schools.

Choosing the best school for a child is a decision that influences parents profoundly. It becomes a hundred times more critical when they have to reselect one due to the problems that their child is facing in their current learning environment. Regardless of how difficult and emotional this decision may become, we are sure you agree that a child’s education and well-being are worth it.

Read on to spot the signs that indicate when to move your child to another school. We also cover the factors you should consider when doing so, the effects of changing schools, and tips for a smooth school transition.

Table Of Contents

Signs to Know When to Change Schools
Factors to Consider When Changing Schools
Effects of Changing Schools on Young Children
Tips for Helping a Child Transition to a New School
Conclusion

Signs to Know When to Change Schools

As a parent, it can be hard to recognise when to consider moving your child to another school. However, some signs may indicate that a change is necessary, like:

Your child is consistently unhappy or stressed at school.
Your child is not making academic progress despite your efforts to support them.
Peers are bullying or excluding your child.
The school was unable to provide the necessary resources or support for your child’s special learning requirements.

Parents may want to think about changing their children’s schools if they observe any of these signs.

Factors to Consider When Changing Schools

Once parents have decided that a change in schools may be necessary, there are several factors to consider when making this decision.

Age and Developmental Stage of The Child

A child’s current age and stage of development are often the most profound obstacles when one changes schools.

Younger children may struggle more with transitions and may require more support during the transition process. Older children, on the other hand, may have established friendships already, so it may be harder for them to leave those behind and adjust to a new social environment.

The Reason for The Move

Many reasons can be given for a relocation, but remember to consider them carefully. For example, moving for family reasons could be more difficult than for academic reasons.

It is critical to consider how the move will affect your child’s social and academic lives, along with their overall well-being.

Your Child’s Personality and Temperament

Some children may be more adaptable and open to change, while others may need extra time and support. This is entirely understandable for young minds that have yet to fully develop emotionally. So, be sure to take your child’s personality and temperament into account when deciding to change schools.

Effects of Changing Schools on Young Children

For young minds, changing schools is usually an impactful and lasting event. Therefore, it is common for this action to affect young children with outcomes that parents should be aware of, like:

Emotional Effects

Children may experience a range of emotions like anxiety, sadness, and frustration when changing schools. This worldwide phenomenon occurs as a result of children leaving their precious relationships and atmosphere behind and starting anew.

Effects of Changing Schools on Young Children — *It could be hard for young kids to restart efforts to interact with peers and teachers in school.*

⇒ Maybe you’ll be interested in: How to help a child regulate their emotions?

Physical Effects

Many people overlook the physical effects of changing schools on young children, such as changes in sleep patterns and appetite caused by homesickness and the demands of becoming acquainted with the new environment.

Tips for Helping a Child Transition to a New School

To ensure that a child has a smooth transition into a new learning environment, we have gathered a useful tips to help concerned parents combat the negative effects of moving their children.

Involve Your Child in The Decision-making Process

Make every effort to include your child in the decision-making process, as they will be the most affected by the relocation. Also, validating their feelings and providing emotional support are important actions. This participation will help your child feel more in control of the situation and more willing to make the transition.

Visit The New School with Your Child

Having a tour of the new school with your child before the new school year starts will allow them to be more comfortable in their new surroundings. They will begin to become familiar with the environment and may even picture themselves in it.

Arrange Playdates with Classmates

Arranging playdates with your child’s new classmates at the beginning of the school year is a great activity to help your child make new friends and feel more connected to the new school community.

⇒ Maybe you’ll be interested in: How does play affect a child’s emotional development?

Create a Consistent Schedule and Routine

Ensure your child’s comfort by establishing a consistent daily routine similar to their previous environment. This schedule should encompass sleep patterns, meal periods, study hours, and other activities, providing an easy-to-follow structure for your child.

Encourage Your Child to Get Involved in Co-curricular Activities

Involving your child in co-curricular activities serves two purposes:

A chance for them to meet new students, not only in their class but also those that share the same interests;
As an opportunity to help your child develop new skills and interests and feel more connected to their new school community.

Conclusion

Choosing a new school for a child could consume as much effort as deciding when to change schools. This new school environment must be welcoming, engaging and offer facilities for your child to flourish and thrive. If you are in this challenging situation, consider UNIS Hanoi as “the next best thing” for your child’s bright future.

*At UNIS Hanoi, every student is essential, regardless of their age.*

As one of the only two United Nations international schools in the world, UNIS Hanoi, along with the support of the United Nations Development Programme in Vietnam, aims to provide the highest quality service to its learning community with the vision of being “an inspirational role model for a better world,” especially with our new strategic approach called “Strategy 2024.”

Click here to apply for a tour of our campus or here to apply for our new school year of 2023-2024!