I recently took on a job teaching at a new school. The first few weeks have been quite challenging and it is taking me a while to adapt to the new routine, syllabus and of course, my new students. While I have felt quite overwhelmed being the newbie, there were also a few fresh new students who started the new term with me, and my heart goes out to these little souls who have found themselves in strange and demanding surroundings. 

Making new friends in an environment of unfamiliar faces is a big deal for little people, not only do these kids have to adapt to new routines and surroundings, but they are required to find comfort among their fellow classmates and practice social skills too. Equipping our children with some basic "new school survival skills" can make the transition and meeting of new friends a little easier for them. 

So, after observing my new grade 4s and doing some research online, here are a few tips on how you can help your kids make new friends and settle in at school a tad easier.

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5 Ways You Can Help Your Child Make New Friends

1. "Baby" steps: your child doesn't have to make friends with everyone. Suggest to him that he just go say hello to one or two kids who he feels he could be comfortable talking to. This usually leads to a chain reaction where one child's friends becomes the friends of the new kid. 
2.  Being scared is OK: making friends, even for adults, can be pressurizing and often leaves one feeling scared or anxious. Remind your children that it's OK to feel scared and that all of the new children probably feel scared too. At the same time, please remember to mention that making new friends is exciting too, and that that should be their focus - excitement!  
3. Instill kindness: if your kids are kind and friendly to others, it is likely that their fellow classmates will notice this and be drawn to them, since they are just as anxious to make new friends too. 
4. Be yourself: this is probably the most important piece of advice you can give your little ones. Your child needs to know that he doesn't need to change in order to make friends, he must simply be himself and find comfort in his own skin. This is how you find true friends. 
5.  Do not judge a book by its cover: Just like you want your child to be themselves and not be ashamed of who they are, at the same time you do not want them to judge others for who they are. Teach your kids not to judge, but to instead embrace differences. 

As parents, we constantly worry about our children and sending them off to school where you are not their to help and console them can leave you feeling like one big ball of anxiety. While we have to let our kids become independent and figure the world out, we can still help and guide them. In fact, your little "independent" soul needs you now more than ever and if you relax, set a good example and be attentive to their moods and needs, your kids will do fine settling into their new class, with new friends. 

Thanks, @mamameimei