"Getting your child involved in a sport, such as soccer, which runs concurrent with most new school years, will definately help facilitate friendships for both the children and parents when moving to a new area. I have personal experience with this and highly reccomend the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) because they encourage children from the age of 4 - 19 to participate regardless of experience or lack thereof. When soccer season is over, little league baseball begins. Get your children involved in the new area you reside and they will build new relationships with children in their new schools. A quick interenet search should answer any questions."

"I would like some tips on going to a whole new town and new school entirely!"

"I would be nice to have some tips for children entering kindergarten"

"This article is informative and educative. Thank you."

"Pretty good tips! Helped us better prepare for middle school!"

"I am just a 11 year old boy.All these tips are good because some kids have problems in school.I sometimes have problems in school but i try stay in class .I try my best to LISTEN,RESPECT and WORK HARD.I WILL DO THEESE TIPS!!!"

"Parents with children with add should try this site-www.addinschool.com. Their suggestions should apply to your child. The first days of school are challenging for any kindergartener, especially active children. Give it some time, discover their needs and most will adjust soon enough. Some children are better off starting in first grade, while some could use the structure learned in preschool. If a child is bored because the work isn't challenging, a portion of the day, such as some center time might be spent in a higher grade. For children with add time needed away could be 15 min. or so walking, learning with computer games, (for energy release) and other suggestions mentioned in the site. Try to be selective about tv programming. Also intensify reward system and try reverse rewards. Maybe have a reward before him, and let it await him at the end of each activity. Give ample notice before changing activities. Work with his teacher. Ask the teacher if there are cues to mi! sbehavior and ask what's worked in the past. When initial needs are met it's still all about keeping up and staying involved."

"My son has been in school for two weeks, and today, after a frustrating day, I sat down to check out the new school scores. Then I saw this article, with the 09/07/07 comment. I am so glad to know that my 5 year old angel is not the only one who's halo comes loose at school! I am having a hard time with him sitting still, listening to the lessons, and staying in the classroom. He even takes his shoes off! I know his preschool teacher said he was 'active,' and I know that he has energy, but I need to balance this out! We are starting with a hearing test (he is on his 2nd set of ear tubes with 3 failed audiograms)then on to the ADHD screening with the pediatrician. I don't want a zombie from medication, but I also don't want him to fall behind. I want him to enjoy school and excell. He is my first son, so I am new at this. Does anyone have any advice? I will listen to any that is offered! Thank you! "

"How do you get your child that is an angel at home to behave in kindergarten? My 5 yr.old is like tazz on the cartoon in school, He tells me he is bored and I tell him to Alaways listen to the teacher and do as she says and yet still no smiley face at the end of the day.What should I do?"

"Sharing: Kids who like to share make good friends. An extra blue crayon or a borrowed pencil now and then will do, but don't give up your last pencil or red crayon when the teacher usually can help there. /Trouble in class?: Let busy children sit next to the opposite gender from day 1, and not next to last year's friends. Parents can also request seating changes./Why behave?: Let children know that responding to the teacher right away, and volunteering an answer often can actually make a better Report Card, earn respect, and motivate others. /Tattling: is common and can last throughout the year but kids don't always mention it. It's used in bullying or can prevent it. The prevalence is surprising. Tattling should be done when you or someone else can get hurt or if someone's disrupting your learning, your happiness, or the class. If someone is checking on a hidden away marble maybe it's not so much your concern. You'll just get disliked. /Tattle tactics: Threatening that y! ou'll tell on another kid can and does lead to being told on for something you are or aren't doing.For ex.-A.'I'm telling.'-B. 'OOh I'm telling you're being mean to me.'-A. 'No I'm not.'-B. 'Yes you are.'--Best route is to reveal the motive for the other person's tattling and say 'He's just saying that because I said I would tell.' Speak up for yourself and don't be shy. It will get you out of trouble. & If you have to defend yourself more than once, don't let begging you not to tell keep you from peaceable living.Tell right away! No-nonsense children often escape this kind of bullying. /Not following someone else's playground rules?: You might hear,-A.'I won't be your friend' or 'I'm going to tell So And So not to play with you.' Sometimes the answer is 'If you were my real friend I wouldn't have to do every little thing you say.' Reasoning can catch off guard and you should go to So And So and again, reveal the motive and let them know you are still their friend. Otherwis! e find a tag game to join in. /New kid and not getting chosen ! for duck duck goose?: On the way to gym or before, buddy up and plan to choose each other for the next game.Ask someone else if it doesn't work. /For more serious matters some teachers can make the two discuss and resolve it right then, after which both are on the spot to better evaluate future actions. One fourth grade teacher wrote about allowing one minor tattle per day until kids were so protective of the tattle it stopped. One fifth grade teacher required the student to write how it would change the 'school, community, state, nation, or world.' Kids should be taught to be non-violent and No-Nonsense because they still don't know what to do sometimes. These things sometimes get in the way of an education. "

"I would like to thank the 'teen' who posted on 7/19/07. Although my daughter is nine his feedback is appropriate since she is leaving her neighborhood elementry to go to a 'cognitively superior' fouth and fifth grade combo in two weeks. She may be smart but can not find her shoes ever. My son has learning proplems and he always knows where his are so it is always an action and love of the differences of our kids. My daughter wants to go to the class, has visited it and wants to go and yet knows she can return to her home school if she chooses. She is away at camp currently and I will have her read the 'teen's' advice when she gets home. She has not been very occupied this summer so I sometimes forget she deserves and should be in the class!"

"Dear 7/13/2007 writer. I can relate to what you are going through. My 8 year old son will attend public school for the first time this school year. How did your child handle it? What advise can you give?"

"It's good to see the great advice GreatSchools consistently offers. I would like to add that if you've done your research, chosen your school well, and decide to discuss school with your child daily, there shouldn't be too much worry. Don't rule out software, and purchase books that involve - preparing for x grade sci, ss, math etc. assessment tests. - That way you can focus learning even a year ahead. Preparing also means reviewing with your child how to handle conflicts if they arise. For younger ones who have early breakfast fill the remainder of breakfast time with activities (not toys) such as mazes that have destinations that reinforce math, sci, spelling, (where a pencil can't touch the lines from start to fin.) I find more than one child's pencil work in my child's books. They don't know they're learning. Unfortunately many children don't complete h.w. assignments, which can be discouraging for teachers. Children should bring their folders especially, or b! ooks, tests, etc. to you once a week so you can provide immediate assistance. Get an ok from the teacher if necessary, and be faithful about care and returning work. Also provide a pocket dictionary for spelling and assignments, and as GreatSchools has suggested, a synonym and rhyming dictionary for school and/or home. Learn with your child and support, support, support, and your child will excel. - "

"Well, speaking as a teen who has been to several schools i can most definately say that this article is bologna or for a very young and naive child. Although, it is good to get up early and plan things the night before (and who wouldn't enjoy a car ride to school) no one wants to go to school before it actually starts i mean this is reality. Overall, i would say that this article is okay, not exactly realistic, but okay. My advice would be to just jump right into it because what are the odds that there is no one that shares the same interests as you. The other piece of advice would be: if you see someone who looks interesting and you want to talk them just do it, but try not to come off as crazy, desperate, or over-bearing. Other than that just have fun and try not to concentrate on the fact that you are in a new school and (i know this sounds nerdy) pay attention to your school work, because some people may say well if i do bad at this school my parents will send me back to! my other school where i was doing good but in actuallity you are hurting yourself because (sorry for the run on) you need your education. If possible go to your school's orientation this is helpful because you can meet new people and although i contradicted myself by saying no one wants to go to schook before it starts it might be helpful for someone who is shy to go so that they may meet someone they wouldn't normally in a school setting. The last bit of advice is have fun and try not to stress, because if you're a type A like me you want things to be in an exact order and want to excel at certain things others would slack on. Try to have a good school year with minimal stress and lots of activities!!!~!!!"

"My child will be leaving a private school and going to a public school. Neither of us want this to happen. What do you do when we all are reduced to tears?"

"My daughter finished kindergarten at a Montessori school. She will be attending a public school for the first grade. I love the Montessori philosophy of teaching, however my daughter was taking advantage of the 'freedom w/in structure'. I feel she might be a little behind in her studies and a bit overwhelmed due to the strictness and size of public schools. She is also very sensitive. How do I address these fears? I love this web site! I have read more than 20 articles this morning!"

"Im moving from the uk to texas ad this doesn't help me that much, im goin 2 be moving into the 10th grade and i'd like to know how different school life is there"

"This is a good article...thanks. But I'd like to see something like this which addresses older children. My child is going to a new school (a private school) for middle school. There's not too much excitement about this transition on their part, and I really could use some advise on helpful ways to prepare them for a new school in a new community around all new faces."

"fantastic article, thank you. I really like the fact that you included subject specific books for children. I am referencing this article in my monthly newsletter, thank you for your help!"

"thank you for this info, it helps me and my daughter very much. It also helps me feel that I am doing every thing possible for the success of her education without smothering her and helping her become the independent young girl and confident student. I work full time out side the home, so every little tid bit I read helps."

"Good tips, but remember that it doesn't end on the first day of school. I'd love to hear some advice for elementary kids about how to assimilate. My third grader started a new school and seemed to be just fine. After the first week she cried that the other kids don't talk to her and she can't get them to let her on the kickball field. I advised her that it's up to her to keep trying. They don't know her and most kids are shy about meeting new people. If she really wants to play kickball, that she needs to put herself out there. These are things kids need to learn to be able to deal with new situations throughout life. Anyway, don't forget that they're spending all day in a tough environment. It's stressful for them. Any tips would be appreciated!"

"Some schools have an 'open house' before the first day of classes. Taking your student to that so that the first day is not nearly so strange is useful and important. Even if the school does not have an official 'open house', perhaps you can arrange to just drop by, especially when the teachers are there."

"i am moving from england to california this week and i was really nervous about elementary school but this really settled my nerves. thanks!"

"SEPTEMBER 2, 2006 IT HELPED A LOT TO EASE THE NERVES OF THE PARENTS OF A FIRST-GRADER, GOING TO A NEW SCHOOL, NEW LOCATION, ETC. MOST OF THEIR CONCERNS WERE ADDRESSED IN IT. THE SIX-YEAR OLD GIRL WAS HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE..."

"You have some great ideas. But, as teacher in an elementary school, I can tell you that no teacher really has time to talk to a parent that first morning. Yes, introduce yourself to him or he. If you have information the teacher needs the first day, please put it in writing. The students who arrive alone needs the teacher's attention too."

"It really Helped me,i'm no Parent but i am starting high school,the tips really helped! Thanks So Much!"

"Being a teacher myself, I really appreciated the tips provided in this article. The suggestions offered would work well for all children, not just those entering a new school. Thanks for all your advice and support! "

"I think this article was really informative and thanks for the suggestions "

"All of my kids are in new schools this year! It had some great tips I even had my 7th grader read it "

"Our family is moving to the Mesa area from Ohio, and I can't tell you how valuable this information is considering I have an elementary school aged child in the home. "