The year your child starts Preschool or Care, is a big year for you and your child.
Donna and Angela from Back on Track Early Childhood Professionals are parents and Early Childhood Teachers, so they are very practical with their 5 Tips for you to consider in assisting the transition into care.
1. Communication before the Big Day.
Talk to your child about what they will be doing during their day, the routine.
Tell them all things they will have to play with inside and outdoors.
Tell them about when they will need to sit on the mat and listen to the teacher.
Tell them about the bathroom and practice this independently at home.
Keep reassuring them that you will pick them up after their afternoon tea.
So, the Communication that needs its very own point, is No 2.
2. Make a plan for drop off.
It is very normal for children to feel nervous and anxious when being dropped into an environment they are not familiar with, so separation anxiety is NORMAL.
It is important to talk to your child about what happens at drop off. Be very clear and talk them through the steps beforehand, so on the day there are no surprises. Just remember in this process that a quick drop off is always a successful drop off and if there are any concerns your educators will ring you, or alternatively, you can ring them to check that all is ok?
Please don’t let them hear you talking to others, or your partner, how worried you are or anxious about them starting preschool. This is a time they need to know you are confident and know they will be safe.
3. Label everything
Your child is still learning to take responsibility for their belongings, so it takes practice knowing where to place things. The main things being the drink bottle, their hat and their bag/locker.
Label everything you are sending to preschool, including underwear, water bottle, all containers, bags and clothing they will be wearing at preschool, including their spare clothes.
It will also make it much easier for the educators to identify what things belong to which children at the end of the day.
Be sure to provide the very same container or drink bottle each day, clearly labelled so it is easy for your child to identify. Consistency and repetition will assist in settling in and feeling that they belong.
4. Clothing
Dress you child in comfortable and practical clothing which will allow your child to explore, play and experiment within the environment in comfort.
Put aside some clothes that are ‘just kindy clothes’ for the days they are in care so you and your child can feel ‘worry’ free if they get ‘dirty.’
As educators we know a child has had a good day when they go home with a little paint or play dough on their clothes as well as half the sandpit in their shoes.
5. Sensible shoes
No Thongs, Crocs, or slides!!!!
Children need safe, sturdy, and comfortable shoes so they can run, climb, jump, skip and enjoy their environment without their shoes falling off and slipping. We want them to take adequate risks without any added pressures or inhibitors for them.
It is also a good idea to practice at home putting their shoes on and off to encourage independence.