I'm having a very hard time believing it's almost August. Summer is drawing to a close and a new school year is coming up quickly!

For many churches, this means that students will be moving Sunday school classes, getting new teachers, and perhaps even moving into new ministries as a whole. This can be so exciting! But it can also bring about some fear and anxiety about the upcoming change.

How can we ease students' fears about the changes that a new school year can bring at church?

Use a Social Story

Social stories are one of my favorite tools for preparing for change. If you're not familiar with them, social stories are short, customized stories to describe specific social scenarios and what they might entail. These stories are often written in first person so the learner can really picture him/herself as the star of the story. Creating a short story describing the routines and expectations of a new Sunday School class is a great way to prepare at home!

Keep Supports as Consistent as Possible

If students are used to having certain supports (visual schedules, First Then cards, etc.) in their previous classroom, try to make those available in their new class. Some especially trusted volunteer buddies have even been able to move grades with their buddies as time goes along. This can be so comforting for some of our friends!

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While the content of the schedule might be different, using a similar format to a previously used visual schedule can be a helpful transitional tool for students moving from one class/ministry to another.

Use an about me form

About Me forms are a great tool to help volunteers get to know new students, even prior to meeting them! Students can participate in the creation of their form while parents talk to them about what they can expect at church.

A simple About Me page gives students the opportunity to express what is important to know about themselves, as well as gives volunteers a cheat sheet for having a successful Sunday!

If Possible, Give a Preview!

If you have the capacity, having a ministry preview day for friends who need extra support is a great way to remove some of their uncertainty. Letting them meet their new Sunday School teacher and check out their new classroom/ministry area can help them get a sense of what to expect on their first Sunday. This is also a great option for families who might be thinking of visiting your church for the first time this Fall!

Do you have any other ideas for how to prepare students for starting a new class or advancing to a new ministry? Comment below and let us know!