Regional Opportunities Resources
Helping Students Manage School and Life Changes
Learn how to help your student cope with the big and small changes in life. You can reduce their stress and teach them how to thrive when change happens.
Most of us appreciate some level of predictability in our lives. Most students need time to process all of the information that they are exposed to so they can adapt to daily routines that offer a sense of security and safety.
10 Coping Strategies to Adapt to Change at School
- 1. Invite students to talk about their feelings.
- 2. See elements of stability in their life and school.
- 3. Become part of the school community.
- 4. Make sure they don’t take the change personally.
- 5. Guide them to see what they have control over.
- 6. Focus on a positive future and what might be possible.
- 7. Allow a brief time for worry.
- 8. Ask them questions.
- 9. Tap into their resilience and ability to cope.
- 10. Teach them how to be proactive.
1. Invite students to talk about their feelings.
2. See elements of stability in their life and school.
3. Become part of the school community.
4. Make sure they don’t take the change personally.
5. Guide them to see what they have control over.
6. Focus on a positive future and what might be possible.
7. Allow a brief time for worry.
8. Ask them questions.
9. Tap into their resilience and ability to cope.
10. Teach them how to be proactive.
Tips to Adapt to Big Life Changes and Reduce Stress
- Give advanced warning.
- Maintain consistency.
- Students may ask many questions, often the same ones.
- Expect some regression.
- Accept grieving.
- Read children’s picture books.
- Play together.
Give advanced warning.
Maintain consistency.
Students may ask many questions, often the same ones.
Expect some regression.
Accept grieving.
Read children’s picture books.
Play together.
Support through Stress and Trauma: Ages and Stages
Students view the world through their own unique lenses at each stage of development. They have their own sensitivity to change, unexpected events and distress. They also respond in their own ways with differing intensity.
You can read the What Happened to My World? guide to help your family manage trauma and stress. It was created by Bright Horizons in response to 911 but can be used to help children feel safe during trauma or tragic events.
Visit Bright Horizon to find other resources to help your family navigate change and stress.
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