The new school year is right around the corner, and with that comes lots of new beginnings at your early learning center–such as new teachers, new friends and a new classroom. For some children, this is an exciting time of fresh challenges and possibilities. For other children, change is very difficult and sometimes overwhelming. Below you will find some simple ways to help your child ease into the new transition that will have you both smiling and at ease.
- Take a visit to the classroom. Speak with your child about what will be the same and what will be different. This little sneak peak will help your preschooler or toddler ease their fears so they can see where they will spend most of their time.
- Allow your child to express their feelings. Don’t say, “I know you don’t like school.” Try saying, “I hear you saying you feel afraid or upset.”
- Connect with some new friends. Give your child a chance to make some new friends and find a “buddy” that can help them forget about being nervous or anxious.
- Create routines. Make drop-off time extra special by going through the same few steps every day such as a special handshake, a nose rub or “high fives”.
- Remind your child of success. Share a memory of how they “mastered” a new place. You could say something like, “Remember how afraid you were of the pool? Now you love it!”
- Let your child take a small transitional object to school. This could be a blanket, small toy, picture or stuffed animal. A small token from home will go a long way in comfort.
- Communicate with the teacher. Get to know your child’s new teacher. Keep the lines of communication open. This will help ensure that your preschooler or toddler has the best educational experience possible.
Here’s to having the best year yet at Lightbridge Academy!
