Settling into a New Neighborhood and School
Change is constant, and it sure can be hard sometimes! If this was the summer you made a big move into your new Holt Home, you’ve already done your fair share of adapting. Meeting the neighbors, finding your new favorite coffee shop, and plotting the quickest routes to the grocery store, gym and your job are just some of the pivots you’ve made. You might have loved this experience, or loathed it, but either way…you did it! The littlest members of your family also learned to adapt to their new environment, and there may be some more big changes for them on the horizon.
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With summer’s transition into fall, your kiddos may be on the precipice of starting the academic year at an entirely new school. With a shake-up in their pre- and post-school day routines, new teachers and friends to meet, and unfamiliar school buildings and curriculum to navigate, it’s natural for kids to feel a mix of excitement and overwhelm. And as a parent, you’re sure to experience your own range of emotions about helping your littles explore this new chapter.
As an owner of a Holt Home, you’re part of a family-friendly community that is built to support these types of big life changes. And, we’re happy to share some tips and tricks for navigating this new season!
Get to Know Their New School
Understanding what your child’s new school has to offer, not just on the first day but for the entire school year, is helpful in calming some jitters.
Do a little research! Often available to peruse on a school’s website, look for information that gives you some valuable insights. Check out the curriculum that your children will engage with. Are there extra curricular activities that would interest your kiddos? What’s the school culture like? Look for a Mission Statement, letter from the principal and a school handbook to help you get a sense of the values your children’s new school upholds and prioritizes.
Schools will typically host orientation sessions and back-to-school nights for both new and returning students. These are great opportunities for you to meet families in your new school community, and make some connections of your own.
Whether at an orientation or by reaching out to the school directly, make a point of connecting with your child’s teachers and the school’s staff. Your own personal experience with them can help you and your kiddos feel confident about the year ahead.
Prioritize Fun!
There is a lot of fun to be had in this new school experience. So be sure you’re balancing the practical with the playful. A new school means there’s a new playground to explore. Swing your kids by their new school and introduce them to the play structure. They’ll feel extra confident at recess that first day having already conquered the monkey bars and wooshed down the big slide.
Living in a Holt Home community means there are parks nearby and perhaps even a community center to explore. Show your kiddos all the fantastic places for play in your new community and help them appreciate how school is just one part of this new world of theirs that’s filled with places to run, jump, and meet new friends.
Speaking of new friends, make the day one easier by establishing some friendships before that first bell rings. Plan some play dates with future classmates and introduce them to neighborhood kids. Some organized playtime in the front yard with toys or activities that are easy to share is sure to entice a few neighborhood kids and their families to come explore. Those familiar faces, even if they aren’t from the same grade as your child, are sure to make the new school transition easier.
And on the topic of familiarity, taking your littles on their route to and from school, whether you’ll drive, walk, or take the bus will help build their confidence, too. Talk to them about what you see along the way so they can easily orient themselves when they’re on their own, and be sure to point out safe routes– especially if they’ll be doing any walking or biking.
Create a Daily Routine
With all the new experiences to explore at school, having a daily routine at home that is reliable, consistent and functional is important. A good routine helps the day run smoothly by empowering kiddos to complete important tasks each morning and evening. And, have fun free time, too. Being consistent with expectations will help your children anticipate their routine and adopt a sense of responsibility for checking all the boxes on their tasks.
You know your children the best, so whether it’s a verbal list you reinforce daily or a visual list you can point to, be sure they know what they need to accomplish before and after school.
Here’s a few standard tasks to get your list started, but be sure to add things unique to your family (for example, walk the dog or take your vitamins)…
- Make your bed
- Get dressed
- Eat breakfast
- Brush your teeth
- Pack your backpack
- Be ready to leave by 8:00am
Evening:
- Play time before dinner
- Eat dinner
- Finish your homework
- Play time before bed
- Put on pajamas
- Brush teeth
- Story time
If you’ve been itching to make a sticker chart…this is a great time to introduce one!
While incentives to complete tasks that aren’t fun (cleaning up toys, we’re looking at you!) can be good motivation, creating a suitable environment for those tasks to get done is also important. Homework, we’re looking at you, too! Setting up a dedicated space for studying and completing homework assignments that’s calm, clutter-free, and has resources easily at hand is crucial. Carve out a quiet space in your home with comfortable chairs, a clean work space, access to an outlet for charging devices and books, paper, pencils and any other supplies your little scholars might need.
In addition to a thoughtful schedule and dedicated space and resources for completing tasks, a sense of flexibility and good communication are essential in balancing tasks with the ever-important need for children to play. Be prepared to give your kiddos verbal heads up when they’re nearing the transition into a new task. A signal that they have a few minutes to wrap up play and prepare to sit down for dinner can help guide them to make good choices that keep the whole family on schedule.
But, a little flexibility is often important. Things will and do come up that can throw your schedule into chaos. An achy tummy, a hard day at school, or a disagreement with a sibling needn’t derail a whole morning or evening. Being able to roll with the punches and adapt when challenges arise will make for a more calm home environment and set your children up for success when they transition into their school routine.
Be Their Social Steward
Making new friends can be hard and sometimes your littles will need a little extra help in this department! Encourage your kiddos to find like-minded pals by joining clubs, participating in sports or taking part in after-school programs. These are a great way for your children to make friends and to feel more rooted in their scholastic community.
Having a hard time finding other kids to join your children in exploring their specific interests? Surely someone else is just itching to say…start a knitting group for kids under twelve. Or there must be another kid in your neighborhood as into maps as yours. If you’re not finding the right group for your littles, make one! Get crafty with your kiddos and make a stack of hand-drawn flyers to hang around the neighborhood. Or invite some families you’ve recently met over for an activity night. Maybe sharing your family’s love of playing mahjong, or making mosaic art will spark your kiddos next, newest friend group!
Make Use of Community Resources
If you’re not finding what you’re looking for in organized groups at school, or creating your own group in your neighborhood isn’t quite your speed, there’s many other outlets to tap into. Your local library can be a great resource! Check to see if there’s a bulletin board, newsletter or digital discussion board that has info about community events and groups for kids.
You may also try joining a group that interests you, and that helps you find other like-minded families. Keep an eye out for parenting groups or community centers that host events for families. Try joining a neighborhood association or get involved with volunteer opportunities at your child’s school. Expanding your network is sure to present new opportunities for your kiddos, too!
Holt Homes Has You Covered
This big transition may feel daunting, but with the right preparation and loving support, your kiddos can thrive in their new school environment.
Beyond just building spectacular homes, Holt Homes has a deep interest in cultivating a thriving and vibrant community among its owners. We’ve designed our communities with families in mind and have incorporated amenities that encourage connection.
There’s a lot to explore, and we’d love to share how Holt Homes can help your family thrive. Reach out– we’re here to talk!
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Posted: Oct 02. 2024