Written by The big day has come where your toddler is turning into a preschooler. Preschool is a big year! For some of our children at Newmeadow this is their first school experience! It can be challenging for both parents and children.
As parents, you’re probably questioning how this little human grew up so fast and is ready to start their educational journey. Our little preschoolers are starting out on an adventure that is unlike anything they have experienced before. They are being immersed in an academic, language, and socially rich environment that they must learn to navigate.
The transition to school can be a difficult one. Expectations are higher, and the environment is not so predictable. The biggest challenge is that your child is moving away from a self-directed focus where they can play with what they want, when they want, or comply with demands when they want to. They must now learn to share space and toys with their peers, follow the classroom expectations while being presented with all new learning concepts and skills.
It’s perfectly normally to see some new behaviors or regression from your child who is transitioning to a new classroom environment.
The first challenge you may tackle is separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a normal part of development. Clinginess, crying and tantrums are behaviors you may see when you drop your child off at preschool.
It’s easy to give in when your child exhibits these behaviors. You may want to cuddle them a little longer, oblige to their request for one more kiss, or even turn around and head back home.
I urge you not to give into these behaviors. It’s important to not prolong the goodbye process any longer then it needs to be. Children quickly learn if I cry a little longer, louder or harder, mom or dad will stay a little longer, give extra hugs or kisses, or even take me back home! This will extend the period of time and/or days your child cries when you drop them off.
Instead of crying for a couple days this behavior may extend long into the school year. It’s important to establish a quick goodbye ritual and stick to it. A quick hug, kiss, and I love you.
Our staff is specially trained to scoop your child and help them down the hall to their classroom. All too often, as soon as the classroom door closes behind them the tears stop, and they begin to ease into their school day.
Give those extra kisses and hugs at pick up or at home! As the parent you need to set the tone. Send positive vibes about school and the drop off process. Young children are very good at picking up on their parent’s non-verbal cues; any apprehension you show can impact your child and their successful transition. The more calm and assured you are about the drop off process the more confident your child will be.
The Visual Schedule
Another helpful strategy to help ease the anxiety your child may feel about their school days is to use a visual schedule. A visual schedule is a series of pictures that provides visual cues for the specific steps in an activity or task. Visual schedules help to ease anxiety by showing your child exactly what is going to happen and in what order it will occur.
Using a visual schedule can develop a positive routine and develop coping skills. Children will begin looking for information which in turn will increase flexibility, and develop the skill to help manage life’s unpredictability.
Often, children with language delays and/or other learning disabilities struggle to understand what is being said to them. A visual schedule will help to provide a visual cue of the day’s event. To ease school day mornings, I would suggest a visual schedule for your morning routine. There are many ways to make a visual schedule! Here are some examples:
There are so many ways to make a visual schedule. So, if you love Velcro and laminating as much as me, this task will be right up you alley!
Some children may like to be able to take off or check off the activity as they complete them. Additionally, you could even make a visual schedule consisting of real pictures of the child completing their routine. The possibilities are endless, and it just might be the thing to turn your hectic morning into a breeze!
The preschool transition can be tricky one, but using these tips can help. If your child is having an especially difficult time transition into the new school year, let us know! Additionally, we are always here to help. If you have any questions or would like to discuss these strategies more completely please call the school or email me at Slaraway@newmeadow.org.