Who doesn’t have a good memory of the first school days? The doubts around how the new class, the new teacher, the classmates are going to be…The first school day is always an important event, and for expat children, this day is likely to be a bit more special, as they will have to get adapted to a new country, new class and maybe to a different language. How can you help your child for this “special day”? 1. Help your child knowing the basics Children might be exceptionally shy in unfamiliar surroundings. For that reason, make your child is familiar with the most important information about places and routines. Where is the toilet? Where is the class? How does the daily schedule work out? What is the teacher name? One of the best things to do, whenever it's possible, is to have a tour and orientation around the facilities, before the first day of school. This way, your child can get familiar with the place, get familiar with the mainly routines, get to know the teacher and ask questions. 2. Make a checklist in advance Stationery, books, snack, uniform… There are a lot of things to remember on the first school day, that you can easily forget something. In order to avoid this, do a checklist the weeks before the first day and go through it the day before "the big day", so you can make sure that you are not missing anything. 3. Prepare your child for the new experience Does your child need to wear a uniform? Is the sport class mandatory for everyone? Are there some school trips planned? Try to talk about the differences between the previous and the new school with your child and introduce them as an opportunity to discover another culture. Pointing them out in advance and presenting them in a positive way will help your child to adjust to the new environment. Is your family ready for a relocation? We can help you to have a smooth move. Get a free quote here!