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.