Caregiver's Corner
- prairieskiespld
- Aug 28
- 3 min read
Practical Strategies to Help Your Child Adapt to Change 3 min read
Change is a constant part of life, and changes (welcome or not) can shake up family routines and relationships. Here are some ways you can help your kids cope with big changes in their lives, like gaining new family members, switching schools, family losses, or moving to a new home.
1. Communicate Openly and Honestly: Children benefit from clear explanations about what is happening, how it affects them, and why changes are necessary. Encourage your child to ask questions, validate their feelings, and reassure them of your support. For example: “I know moving schools feels scary because it’s different from what you’re used to. But I’m here with you every step of the way.”
2. Prepare Your Child in Advance: Whenever possible, discuss upcoming changes days or weeks ahead. Show pictures of new places or role-play scenarios to help your child know what to expect. This preparation reduces uncertainty and builds confidence.
3. Maintain Consistent Routines: Routine offers predictability that helps children feel safe. Even during major transitions like moving homes, preserving small daily rituals can anchor a child emotionally. Keep mealtimes, bedtime rituals, and homework schedules stable. If routines must change, explain why and keep the new structure consistent.
4. Encourage Emotional Expression: Help your child put their feelings into words. Normalizing emotional expression reduces fear around difficult feelings. Some tools you could use are feelings charts, mindfulness exercises, journaling, drawing or storytelling, or reading books to your child that address the changes your family is undergoing. The library offers both picture books and non-fiction books that address a variety of tough topics for kids and families. You can search our online catalog or ask a librarian for help.
5. Support Social Connections: Friendships and social interactions foster resilience during change, so try to arrange playdates with familiar peers or encourage participation in group activities like sports or clubs.
6. Model Positive Coping Skills: Children learn by observing adults’ reactions. Work to demonstrate calmness when faced with change, and share your own strategies for handling uncertainty. For example: “I felt nervous about starting my new job too, but I focused on what I could control.”
7. Focus on Small Wins and Build Confidence: Celebrate progress no matter how minor it seems. Praise efforts rather than outcomes, and set achievable goals related to the change (e.g., making one new friend).This encouragement boosts self-efficacy and motivation.
8. Limit Exposure to Stressors: Too much exposure to negative news or adult worries can overwhelm children, so try to keep adult conversations about stressful topics away from your child’s hearing range. Creating a calm home environment fosters security.
When Normal Strategies May Not Be Enough
Sometimes the struggle goes beyond typical adjustment difficulties. Persistent anxiety, depression symptoms, aggressive behavior, or social withdrawal may suggest underlying mental health concerns requiring professional evaluation. Additionally, if your child has known developmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) where changes often trigger more pronounced distress, specialized support may be necessary.
In these cases, consult your pediatrician for referrals to child psychologists or counselors.
Seek school-based support services like counseling or special education resources, and explore therapies tailored for emotional regulation like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Early intervention can prevent worsening difficulties and promote healthy coping skills long-term.
Final Thoughts
Helping a struggling child adapt takes patience and resilience from parents, too. Practice self-care, and seek support from family, friends, or parenting groups. Remember that your well-being directly impacts your ability to support your child effectively.
Change is challenging but also an opportunity for growth when approached with empathy and understanding. By fostering open communication, maintaining stability through routines, encouraging emotional expression, supporting social connections, and modeling positive coping skills, you can help your child navigate transitions more smoothly even when initial struggles occur.
By implementing these strategies mindfully and with love, you empower not only your child but your entire family unit toward stronger emotional wellness amidst life’s inevitable changes.
Excerpted and adapted from:
https://realitypathing.com/what-to-do-when-your-child-struggles-to-adapt-to-normal-changes/#google_vignette and https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2020/08/7-ways-to-help-kids-cope-through-changing-times
Other helpful websites:
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