Here are several ways to help your child adjust to a new daycare or school:

• Let your child know that you realize change isn't easy and that you know it takes time to adjust to new places, people and things.



• Be supportive and encouraging, not impatient or frustrated.



• Explore the new area, or new daycare or school with your child in advance of going there on the first day.



• Along with your child, get involved with new groups and activities at daycare or school. This will help you feel more connected to your child's new situation, too.



• Help your child find the playgroups and activities she has always liked doing, and try to get her involved, outside of daycare or school.



• Where possible, allow your child to stay connected with friends from his old daycare or school.



• Ask your child what you can do to help - children often have great ideas about how you can help them feel better.

It would be a mistake to let your child stay home from a new daycare or school just because he is afraid and doesn't want to go. But don't force your child to get involved in outside activities too soon - he'll let you know when he is ready. And try not to say things like, "We moved three months ago - aren't you over it yet?" That will just make your child feel worse.

If you find that your child is sad, withdrawn, angry, acting out, doing unusually poorly in the new daycare or school, or showing physical symptoms of anxiety and things don't seem to be getting better even long after the move, consult your child's daycare provider or school teacher to see if they are noticing the same behaviour, and then consult your child's physician.