Dana’s Kids Blog

1. The most important way to help your child feel comfortable with the idea of beginning nursery school is to make sure you are comfortable with the idea of him or her beginning nursery school.  If you have questions or concerns call the school and speak with your child’s teacher, the director, or the school’s early childhood consultant.  Children are very perceptive, if you are feeling nervous, they will most certainly feel nervous as well.
2. Start a conversation with your child about beginning school.  Mention any familiar faces they may see.  Ask them what toys they think they might play with at school.  Remind them that grownups always come back!  (There are no beds or cribs at school!)  If your child’s anxiety level seems to rise during the conversation, end it.  You can always bring it up again.  Know your child.  Some children do better with less preparation, others with more.
3. On the first day of school have one parent drop your child off.  Having to say goodbye to two parents can be far more difficult.  Also, try to make arrangements for any siblings so that they are not present for separation.  Again, watching a parent leave with a sibling can make separation harder for some young children.
4. When bringing your child to school the first day make sure they are walking once they get inside the building.  They can absolutely hold your hand as you walk in.  Walking on their own begins the process of helping your child become more independent.
5. Remember that beginning school is a process.  There is no time table.  Your child will have days where he or she will run in to the room without issue and there will be days where saying goodbye is more difficult.  Everyone separates!  Make sure you are clear about the teachers’ plan for separation and continue to let them know if you have specific concerns.  When you reunite at the end of the day remind your child that you came back, just as you said you would!

Ahh, the two week mark at nursery school.  This is often the time that many children (even those who seemed to transition easily into nursery school) start showing some hesitation.  The novelty is starting to wear off and they begin to wonder “Wait, I have to keep going?!”  Stay calm, this is just a phase and it will pass!  Here’s the trick…keep moving forward! No matter what they say; ” I dont wanna go,” “I’m not getting dressed,” “I hate school.”  Keep moving forward.  Reflect their feelings, tell them you hear that they are saying they don’t wanna go.  If need be bring them in pajamas.  Just keep moving forward. Communication is also essential here.  Let your teachers know that your children are feeling hesitation.  Talk to the teachers about the plan for saying goodbye and stay consistent with it.   It’s important to remember to keep the same confident, positive attitude about school that you had during the “phase-in” process.  Keep moving forward and both you and your children will pass through this phase unscathed!

Parents often ask me whether they should let their classroom teacher know that their child is receiving special services. ”Will they hold it against my child?”  “Will my child be labeled?”  I say tell! When you bring your child to school, you should view the administrators and teachers as part of your team.  You are all there to help your child develop, grow and be as successful as they can be.  By having the information, your classroom teachers can be in touch with you and your child’s therapist(s), learn techniques that work for him or her, and keep everyone aware of progress and issues at school.  Truth be told, most early childhood teachers are going to notice that “something’s up” even if you don’t tell them.  As teachers, we wait and watch, form relationships with children and parents, and then broach the topic.  Why delay?  If we have the information we can hit the ground running and provide your child with the neccessary support.  We are thrilled to know when a parent has been proactive, is aware of their child’s development, and has advocated to get their child services.  Many times, intervention in the early years gives the child the extra help they need to go on to typical schools later.   By working together in an honest way, we can form trusting relationships that will help us choose the best and most appropriate school for your child when they leave our programs.  We want your child to be successful and feel good about themselves, that’s why we’re in this field.

Please let us join your team…you, and most importantly your child, will be the winners!