SETTLING-IN
Do Not Rush:
All stakeholders namely parents, educators and child are clearly involved in the transition from home to nursery. It demands sound organization, proper arrangements and meticulous planning. Parents and children should feel comfortable in the nursery. Each child is a unique individual and settling in differs from child to child. Some may settle in a day, some in a week and some may take longer. So do not be upset if your child takes longer to settle in. DO NOT RUSH. Let him/her take his/her time. Give your child time and take it easy.
Recognition, Trust and Companionship:
As of now, parents are the only reference persons that matters the most to the child. It will take some time for the child to recognize a new reference person, experience her, hear her, and rely on her. This will lead to building of trust. The new reference person will soon become the child’s best companion with whom he/she builds a sustainable relationship.
Preparation in Advance:
Settling-in does not happen overnight. It requires good preparation a few weeks in advance. The child should be given the exposure to situations where he/she experiences separation from the parents. All such experiences will ease the settling-in phase for the child.
Let the Child Cry:
It’s perfectly normal and okay if the child cries or screams. It is in fact a huge step forward in the settling-in period. It is the comfort and distraction offered by his/her teacher and caretaker that he/she will learn to trust them and soon the grief and sorrow will diminish into thin air.
Trust the Nursery:
Let the teacher and the caretaker take care of the crying child. They play an important role in the settling of the child in the nursery. Your trust empowers them and also sends signals to the child that you are comfortable in handing him/her over to them. This underpins the beginning of a long term reliable and a dependable relationship.
Gradual Increase of Separation Duration:
Young children do not understand the meaning of phrases such as, “I will come back in half an hour”. They cannot comprehend time phrases until they experience it. The parent leaves the child for a short period of time and then returns to collect the child. Soon the separation duration gradually increases from short durations to an hour and then half a day to full day. The child is reassured every day that the parent returns and he/she will not be left in the nursery.
Different Times – Different Ways:
Keeping the safety of the children at the helm of all affairs, we are unable to let the parents stay with the child in the nursery as practiced earlier, due to COVID-19 precautionary measures. It was a matter of worry for us initially but we soon realized that children actually settled in quicker than before and we are amazed at the resilience of the little ones.
Parents set the Tone:
Parents are role models and have a deep impact on a child. When a child sees that the parents are excited and proud of him/her attending nursery, he/she will soon adapt to the new situation. When parents talk positive about the nursery and the staff, the child senses that they are happy with the new situation and in turn the child is happy to go to the nursery.
Saying Goodbye:
Don’t sneak out. This will make the child feel insecure, deceived and abandoned. Always say a loving but a quick goodbye and once it’s done, just leave immediately. A prolonged goodbye may result in the child refusing to let you go and may end up in a stressful child. Establish a consistent goodbye routine. It could be a handshake, a high five, a cuddle or a big tight hug. Transitional objects such as soft toys, a blanket, a favourite toy – help in comforting a child.
Be Patient:
Most kids do well after the parents have left the nursery. If settling-in is taking time, you need to be patient. The trio (parent, educator and the child) make a strong team together. Even if takes longer, it is worth all the wait. The child will surely settle in.
Remember:
We are there for you. You may call us, talk to us, ask as many questions as you may, follow your child and enquire about him/her. Communication is the key to success.
