This is a terrific idea. It helps to avoid the panic that can sometimes set in about “is this the right school? The BEST school?” etc. Get ideas early, ask questions, look around, when there is no pressure.

Join the club! I edit and re-edit so many times, it’s ridiculous!

But yeah, I know Rich isn’t looking for a medal, but I love it that he’s thinking this way. Awesome!

I agree that moving, when handled well, can be a real boost to a kid’s sense of being able to cope with change. It also reinforces the bond with the family and can often be for the better, as in your case (moving resulting in better schools). And when they go off to college (wow!) they will have a great experience upon which to draw.

There is a qualitative difference that occurs somewhere in between the beginning of first grade and the end of second grade, varying per child. They go from being closer to preschoolers, developmentally, and move into “kid-dom”. It coincides with their cognitive shift into “concrete operations” (look up Paiget on Wikipedia if you’re interested, I’ll try to post a link.) Elementary-school teachers will confirm that a huge shift usually takes place during first grade.

And that’s why moving you at age 8 was so difficult (possibly among other factors). Moving, like many other changes, needs to be considered in light of this developmental shift.

Rich’s kindergartener will handle it much easier, likely, than any 8-year-old, who is completely engrossed in the social scene of school, friends and neighborhood. It is an age where the primary attachment objects begin to shift away from parents (us…sniff!) and to their peers. Starting over again at that age becomes much, much harder.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_cognitive_development#Concrete_operational_stage

We’ve been in the same house, same schools for over 8 years now, and we haven’t moved specifically because of the kid’s schools and the friendships they’ve built since we’ve been here. We won’t move again until both kids are out of high school (4 years from now for youngest). I wanted my kids to have a sense of place when we finally settled, and we have achieved that. We all love where we live, just outside of Portland, OR.

We have always approached moving as an adventure, and involved the kids as much as we could. They liked to feel like they were really helping and contributing to the process. To this day, they both talk about moving wistfully, as if moving is something to reminisce about. They look forward to moving now, especially since the next time they do, it will likely be when they go off to college in a couple of years. (!)