Separation

We look forward to sharing a wonderful year full of learning and growth. Our first step will be to help the children transition from home to school.

The points outlined below describe a variety of techniques we have developed that will help your child make a successful transition.

A successful first transition from home to school will provide your child with the tools he or she needs to experience future separations in a healthy way.

As your child embarks on this new step, you can help your child in the following ways:

• Before the first day of school, help your child develop a positive, low-pressure feeling about school by discussing the fun activities that he or she will enjoy at school. Refrain from verbalizing comments such as, “You’re so big now,” and “You will soon go to school just like all the big kids.”

• Initially, you may be encouraged to sit by your child’s side at the table or on the rug at circle time. Eventually, your immediate presence will not be necessary and you will sit on the side. Your child will be able to touch base when needed and then rejoin the group.

• The best way for a child to reach out from you to us is from the security of your lap. Just be there. Try not to push your child towards an activity. Rather, hold them with their back to your chest so they can feel safe on your lap and still be able to see the interesting activities the other children are involved in.

• Please do not converse with the teachers or other adults while you are sitting and observing. This can be very distracting to both children and teachers. Plan to leave younger siblings at home and bring some reading or handiwork to keep yourself occupied.

• When you plan to leave the room to take a brief bathroom break or for any other reason, it is crucial that you first tell both the teacher and your child. By being honest with our children, we allow them to trust us.

• Try not to compare your child with any other child. Each child is an individual with his/her own unique personality and life history. Thus, each child’s needs will differ.

• Most young children need to have a parent or caregiver with them at school until they become comfortable and trusting of their teachers, classmates and new environment. The process is a gradual one and you and the teacher will work together to determine when your child is ready to have you leave. Let’s be patient, focus on the needs of the child, and together we can make this a stress-free experience.

More in this section