Preparing for the ‘BIG’ day
We feel honoured that you chose Little Oxford Nursery and Day Care
for your little one. We are extremely excited to have him/her in our midst. We
are confident of a great year as a wonderful journey of growth, learning and
development awaits your child ahead. However, there are a few things you need
to keep in mind before starting preschool.
First day is never easy for you and your child. You never know how
your child will react on being left in the nursery for the first time. He/she
may just walk into the classroom without any fuss or may scream, cry or even
hang onto you tightly. It won’t be easy at all. The good news is there are a
few strategies to overcome the challenge of separation from you and help your
child develop coping mechanisms to deal with separation anxiety.
1. Talk to your child about
starting preschool:
Before your child attends preschool, spend
time talking to your child about his/her new school. With your enthusiasm, your
child will develop excitement to attend preschool.
2. Expose your child to preschool
activities:
Before starting preschool, introduce your
child to activities that usually take place in a preschool setting for eg:
paper tearing, scribbling, painting etc. On seeing similar material and
activity in the classroom, your child will be comfortable and will easily get
engaged.
3. Establish a routine:
Have a daily routine chalked out for your
child. A well – defined routines such as regular sleep and wake up timings;
brushing teeth; combing hair; getting dressed, and having breakfast and meals
on time. You will get a clear idea of the times he/she feels hungry, gets
tired, and is playful at a particular time of the day. These can be communicated
to your child’s teacher and caretaker and your child won’t feel the change of
place overwhelming. Thus it will make transition from home to school easier.
4. Plan your visit to the
preschool:
Before your child starts preschool, schedule a
couple of play dates at your child’s preschool. By doing so, your child will
familiarize with the adults in the setting, classroom, and will feel encouraged
to interact with them. Your child will explore and observe the unfamiliar place
and when left on the first day, the anxiety would be taken much care of.
5. Stay clam:
Kids are very smart. They sense your emotional
state very well and it reflects on their behavior. If you are calm while
dropping your child, your child will be more confident, calmer and much in
control of his / her emotions.
6. Arrange for separation times:
In order for your child to cope effectively
with separation anxiety, start practicing separation from your child. Begin
with few minutes and then progress to shorter intervals and may be even to half
days. Take help from a family member, friend, a trusted neighbor or from your
child’s favourite play mate’s parents. This separation will instill in him a
sense of security, assurance and independence which is crucial in overcoming
separation anxiety.
7. Have a Goodbye ritual:
A Goodbye ritual could be a high five, a tight
hug, three kisses, a tight handshake or a special phrase. Practice these when leaving
your child during separation times or even while tucking your child into bed. These
rituals give your child an assurance that you are near and will be back
soon.
8. Rest assured:
Your child is growing a little each day. With
all these strategies in a place, your child will vibrate with confidence and will
soon get started with his business of ‘PLAY
and LEARN’.
