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Hi

First, thank you for your question. We can understand your concern about your child and moving to a new place. Children are normally very adaptive, but we understand that your son is having a difficult time getting to know new people. Most likely he will be fine later on, but you might need to be patient with him. What we can say is that your understanding of his feelings around the moving and the new place is important. Be patient and hold on to your daily routines. When you talk to him, show him understandig around the difficult feelings he is experiencing, and tell him it is very natural to feel the way he is feeling. At the same time emphasize the positive things about the move. Maybe he will get a bigger room? Maybe more space? Is there something exciting you can do when you are installed? Go visit the new place as much as possible, show him the new school and the area nearby. Do you know anybody in the new area? Maybe you can try to get to know somebody with kids at the same age before your move. You should contact the new school and ask if you can come for a visit, and have a talk with the teachers. They can probably give you some advice on how to get to know some of the other kids during the summer. It will be a good idea to meet up with the kids in his new class before the move, and get the contactinformation to the other parents so you can meet up outside school.

I see that you are wondering if it will be best for him to continue in the old school or start the new one as soon as possible. This is a question you need to ask yourself, most likely there will be pros and cons on both sides. Maybe you can wait until after the summervacation? Either way, you should help him make contact with new friends and also help him stay in contact with his old friends. His best friend from kindergarden seems like an important person for your son, and it will probably be very important for them to keep the relationship. Can you invite the friend to come see the new school and the new house together with your son? And if possible, make plans with visiting and sleepovers during the summer? 

I am attaching an article on friendship in elementary school that might be good for you to read to understand your sons situation better and maybe get som ideas on how to help him make new friends.

I wish you the best!

With kind regards

Pedagogisk psykologisk rådgiver