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Toddler and Preschool: Tips for an Easier Adjustment

So, the time has come for your child to go to preschool for the first time! Are you worried about their adjustment to the new environment? For children, it is a new reality with many challenges: a new place, new activities, being away from familiar faces, and having to trust new, unknown people. Suddenly, they have to face many challenges at such a tender age, where the mother and father are still important and necessary figures.

Let’s see how we can help our little ones cope with this significant change in their daily routine:

  • Visit the place with the child before starting: Explore the environment together, meet the educators, and familiarize yourself with the procedures followed by the facility.
  • Discuss with the educators or the person in charge: Understand the practices they follow to have a complete picture.
  • Inform the educators about any dietary allergies: This is essential if your child has any.
  • Discuss the preferred method of adjustment: If possible, allow the child to adjust gradually. Ideally, there should be at least a week of adjustment, with the parent present in the play area and gradually reducing their time there, while gradually transferring care to the educator so that the child can bond with and trust them.
  • Communicate the reason for attending preschool: Explain to your child why they are going to preschool without sugar-coating the situation or projecting your own expectations or anxieties.
  • Trust the educators: Feel secure with your choice so that your child feels the same. Manage your own emotions to focus on your child’s real feelings.
  • Inform the child about the activities, atmosphere, and procedures: Familiarize them with the environment as much as possible by creating similar conditions at home in the form of play.
  • Evaluate if your child is ready for preschool: If you notice difficulty in adjusting, consider possible alternatives.
  • Pay attention to what your child says: Do not overlook their feelings or the information they provide about how their day is going.
  • Avoid panicking if the child refuses to go: Stay calm and prioritize listening to the child to identify the reason for their refusal.
  • Give yourself and the child time before arriving at preschool: Even fifteen minutes of exclusive attention to the child might be the solution you are looking for.

Resource: https://www.maxmag.gr

[Mini College, bilingual nursery & kindergarten, Kifissia]