4 Sep 2026

Changing schools: how to prepare the family

Author

SEB Education

Category

School Life

Reading time

6 min read

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Changing schools is one of the most significant transitions of childhood. New classmates, new teachers, an unfamiliar building and different rules all arrive at once — and it is natural for children to feel anxious, even when they are excited about the change.

Before the first day

Visiting the school in advance helps a lot. Getting to know the classroom, the playground and the way to the bathroom turns the unknown into something familiar. Whenever possible, introduce your child to the teacher before classes begin.

Talk about the move honestly. It is worth acknowledging that missing old friends is normal and that making new ones takes time. Promises like “you’ll love it on the very first day” set an expectation that is hard to meet.

In the first weeks

Keep home routines as stable as possible: sleep, meals and time together provide security while everything else changes. Ask about the day with curiosity but without interrogation — stories often come out at bath time or before bed.

And stay close to the school. A quick conversation with the pedagogical team in the first weeks helps align impressions and act early if something is not going well.