You can't quite put your finger on it, but something doesn't feel right about your child’s experience at school. Maybe you're just overthinking? Surely, everyone has their ups and downs at school, right?
Rather than wondering and worrying aimlessly, here are some more intentional considerations.
Exploring whether your child is in the right learning environment
Over the next two weeks, pay attention to the following:
Even if these things have changed a bit, challenges at school aren't abnormal. When problems arise, have your child connect with their teacher or do this yourself. From there, move to administration for assistance in problem-solving. If you feel that the school is not supporting your child, you may decide to begin exploring other education alternatives.
Exploring alternative forms of education and determining what fits for your family
Finding a new school involves considering your child's educational needs, along with your family values and needs.
Child's needs
Family needs
Clarifying your needs will help to narrow the search. Use the school’s website or brochures to continue your assessment of the alternatives. Direct communication with the school can also help.
Questions about each organization you are considering
On a more practical basis
As you gather answers to the above questions, the organizations that fit your family will become clearer.
The next step is to visit in person, individually or during an open-house. Your gut feel for the organization is important here. Do you feel heard? Are they interested in your child's specific needs and concerns? Does it fit your family’s current lifestyle?
Involve your child in developing some questions about the new environment. What is important to your child? What are they wondering? If possible, take your child to visit the school to get a sense of the people and the facilities, and to ask their questions.
What if my child doesn’t want to change schools?
As challenging as the current learning environment is, changing schools may feel extremely daunting to your child. They may push back at the thought of moving. An initial "no!" is to be expected, and doesn’t mean you should stop considering alternatives.
Of course, it's important that your child feels heard. Empathizing with these feelings does not mean that you agree with them. First reactions are often negative, and it is important that the family explore subsequent reactions to these new situations. When your child is in
a calmer state, reflect back to them the challenges with the current school, the steps you've taken to allow for things to improve, and the reality that a change is needed. Talk about your positive impressions of the new places you're considering, and ask how your child might begin to feel more comfortable and courageous about making the change.
This is where visiting the school, attending an open-house, or meeting other kids who attend the school may make it easier to visualize going there in the future. If homeschooling or hybrid learning is a consideration, the same is true. Can you find a way for your child to experience the process to help them feel more familiar with the change?
Choosing a new education alternative can feel overwhelming. Move slowly and with intention so that you can approach the new decision with confidence.
Author, blogger, podcast host, and parenting expert, Julie Freedman Smith has been supporting parents across North America for 20 years. Through her company JFS Parent Education, she helps parents find relief from their everyday parenting challenges. Want to know how she can help you? Email her today:
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