Some Valuable tips to become more comfortable with New School Atmosphere
Get a “Sorgenfresser”
Now this one was a winner! A “Sorgenfresser”, or Worry Eater, is a German toy in the form of many adorable little monsters that have a big mouth and a zip to close it. The idea is that you can write down what worries them about school in a piece of paper and have the Worry Eater chomp it away. When we wrote “mum going away” and put it inside of our Worry Eater, something clicked inside my older one. It was so popular, that other children even started putting their worries inside! A lifesaver. They're made in Germany, but they can be found in shops in many European countries or bought online. Amazon has them and ships them worldwide. If you still can’t get hold of one, you can simply use a box or anything where you can “lock” their fears and worries away (it works for nightmares too!).
Help them making new friends
Encourage them to socialise and try to reinforce the budding relationships that will develop after the first few weeks. Get creative here. You can organise a “moving in” party with the kids of the class. Once they make a few acquaintances, you can organise sleepovers or play dates. To foster more friendships, you can enrol your kids in some after-school activities.
Be patient
Adjusting to a new place takes time. You know this first-hand. It’s the same with your kids, only they’ll probably adapt and pick up the language much faster than you. Be patient when they’re anxious, with the rough drop-offs, possible mood swings and anger. After all, it was you who moved them from a place they knew and liked. Give them the time and space to find their place again. Changing countries and schools can be an enriching experience. The key is planning, doing research and preparing for it. After the dust settles, you’ll find that you and your kids are stronger, more resourceful and thriving.
