When your move takes place during the school year it can be harder on your children. With a little research and planning, you can lessen the stress and make the move easier on them.

If you are moving to another province or country, there may be some differences in the academic programs. If this is the case, contact the local school board in your new area to get specific information about the curriculum for the grades your children will be in. If there are any major gaps between what your children have previously studied and what they are expected to know, you may want to consider one-on-one tutoring.

For children, most of their concerns about moving are related to having friends and participating in activities they are interested in. This is particularly true for children 10 years and older. For teenagers, their social life is the centre of their universe so a move during the school year probably will affect them more than at any other age.

Top 6 Tips for Moving During the School Year

  1. Most schools publish school newsletters and have them online. Let your children go to the school website and read through them as this will give your children an idea of what school life is like.
  2. If your children are involved in organized sports outside of school, check online to see if comparable sports are offered in your new community. Contact the sports associations to find out if your children can join even if the season has already started. For competitive sports, be prepared to provide information about your child’s prior experience; consider asking their coach for a letter of reference.
  3. For children who are involved in dance, art, music, or other artistic activities it is important to let them know that they can continue with their lessons. Go online with your children to look at the websites of teachers or companies offering these activities in your new location.
  4. If you have a child who is particularly nervous about moving during the school year, contact the school they will be attending and ask to be put in touch with their new teacher. If possible, arrange to have them email or even video chat with your child to introduce themselves.
  5. If the move is not taking place for at least a month or more, try to arrange a family trip so they can see firsthand what the new location is like and take them on a brief tour of their new school.
  6. As part of the transition encourage your children to stay in touch with their old friends through email, Skype, phone calls, or social media.

For more information about moving with children or to obtain a free, no-obligation moving estimate, contact Premiere Van Lines at 1-877-671-6683.