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Easing the Transition from Home to School By JENNI SORENSON Community Resource Director
W
innie the Pooh author, A.A. Milne wrote, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Parents everywhere share that sentiment as they take their children to school for the first time. Transitions to new environments can cause stress and anxiety for both parent and child. Starting off on the right foot is crucial to new experiences. The following five tips will hopefully ease the transition from home to a new school environment. 1. Separation anxiety is a natural/ normal stage of development. The most important way a parent can ease a child’s anxiety is by having complete trust in those who are caring for your child. Finding a preschool you believe in, and are excited for your child to be part of, will set the tone for the experi-
ence. Parental emotions positive or negative will rub off on the ever-perceptive young child. 2. A child’s anxiety when saying good-bye stems from the fear that the parent is not going to return. The fact the mommies and daddies always come back is a lesson that children must learn for themselves. Short separations allow your child to work through their emotions in the care of a teacher that understands the development of a young child and is responsive to their emotions. Returning a short while later teaches your child that you will come back. As your child grows more comfortable, parent time away lengthens until the separation transition is no longer an issue. 3. Always say good-bye. Again, parents set the tone for the departure. Hide your distress and cheerfully let your child know that you will be back. Sneaking out sends the message that you are doing something wrong. Putting a smile on indicates that school is a fun place to be. Quick good-byes are best. The sooner the parent leaves the faster
the child can find friends and start their day. 4. Communicate important info about your child to their new teachers. Revisiting the first tip, you’ve chosen a school for your child that you are confident in. The teachers are going to individualize your child’s transition to the classroom. Upon returning, information about your child’s day should be shared with you. Parents and teachers should game plan about the next drop off. Teachers and parents working together foster a warm, nurturing classroom environment. 5. Regression is normal. A child may have weeks of happy, stress-free drop offs and then, seemingly out of nowhere a tearful episode. This could be triggered by not having a great night sleep, a parent traveling, not feeling well, or may be nothing that we can trace to a cause. Days like this will happen, take them in stride, say your cheerful good bye and know that the day will be an exciting one.
Join Lincoln Park Preschool & Kindergarten’s Preschool Together: a parent & child introduction to preschool essentials. The creation of a community of children and parents learning together, making friends, and feeling safe is the purpose behind our preschool introduction class. Parents and children will be introduced to the structure of our preschool day. The class is an opportunity to see LPP’s curriculum in action. • Mom and Dads bring your 15-22 month old to our 6 week preschool prep session. • Register for our 75 minute class on Wednesdays at 9:30 or Thursdays at 10:45. • The class will start September 10/11 and run through October 15/16. • The cost per session is $150. Question and to request a registration form email j.sorenson@ lppschools.com
LPP Germania : 108 W. Germania Place, Chicago, IL 60610 • 312-482-9009 • info@lppgermania.com LPP Belden : 312 W. Belden Ave., Chicago, IL 60614 • 773-665-0110 • info@lppbelden.com LPP Webster : 2150 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL 60614 • 773-248-3381 • info@lppwebster.com
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