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The preschool debut plays an important role in the proper development of a young child. A poor social start can impact their later interactions with both other children and adults. It can also influence the development of negative emotional behaviors.
For many children, crossing the preschool threshold is a significant experience. Every child is different, which leads to variations in how they adapt to preschool. Attending preschool involves major changes in a child’s life.
This involves:
- changes in lifestyle and daily rhythm;
- changes in how both biological and emotional needs are met;
- learning to interact with unfamiliar people;
- the need to quickly orient oneself in a new environment;
- the child’s new social position – being a preschooler;
- developing a sense of belonging to a new social group (the preschool group);
- a change in the family situation due to the mother starting professional work
Parents play a very important role in a child’s adaptation to preschool. What can parents do to help their child adjust to preschool?
Preparing your Child for Independence in the Following Areas:
Eating – this area of independence naturally depends on the child’s age. However, it’s good to accustom your child to eating independently at home, as it significantly facilitates preschool adaptation. The child can also show off their skill to others.
Washing hands and face – prepare your child for this activity in a way that it doesn’t feel like a chore.
Dressing – the ability to dress independently makes a child’s time at preschool easier. It’s also worth paying attention to the type of clothing. Dress children in outfits that won’t cause them many problems to put on. Of course, if there are any difficulties, the child can count on the teacher’s help.
Using the toilet – if independence in this area has not yet been achieved, parents can count on the preschool’s help by working together consistently.
A child’s lack of independence in the above skills does not disqualify them. It does not mean that the child cannot go to preschool. However, this independence significantly facilitates preschool adaptation.
When sending your child to preschool, parents should be internally convinced that it is a place that stimulates their child’s development.
What can we do before enrolling a child in preschool?
Visit the preschool together with your child (look at the preschool from the outside, peek inside, introduce your child to the teachers, show them toys and other children, if possible, play with them on the preschool playground, and get to know the route from home to the preschool). Many facilities organize so-called “open days”, during which parents can stay with their children in the preschool classroom.
Tell your child a lot about preschool. However, these must be realistic stories. Do not promise your child things that will not be fulfilled at preschool. The child may then feel disappointed
and discouraged. Much depends on the atmosphere parents create. Under no circumstances should there be an atmosphere of threat, punishment, or warning, such as: “You’ll see, they’ll teach you at preschool” or “If you don’t listen to Grandma, you’ll go to preschool”.
Let’s remember that:
- at preschool, the child will gain many skills and abilities
- they will learn to cooperate with peers, gain courage and self-confidence
- they will comprehensively prepare for school;
they will meet new friends
For many children, crying is a common reaction to the new social situation of going to preschool.
Crying usually lasts about two weeks or a month. It can also happen that a child starts crying again after the adaptation period. In such cases, the situation should be carefully examined, and the reasons for the child’s behavior should be discussed with the teacher.
It’s worth paying attention to:
- the family situation (important events at home – birth of a child, parents’ long working hours, parental divorce, conflicts with siblings, etc.)
- the child’s health condition;
- traumatic events in the child’s life;
- excessive demands placed on the child;
- new social situations at preschool, contact with peers, the child’s independence, the ability to cope in difficult situations, etc.
It’s also important to remember that our child changes. They are different at 2 years old, different at 3, and behave differently again as a 4-year-old. Depending on the child’s age, the difficulties and situations they encounter also change. Therefore, it is important for parents and teachers to jointly consider the reasons for our child’s concerning behavior.
The preschool staff carefully observes the child. They are aware that the initial period at preschool is a significant experience for both the child and the parents. The most important thing, while the child is at preschool, is telephone contact with the parent. In case of strong emotional distress or difficulty calming the child, the preschool staff immediately informs the parents. As the child becomes accustomed to the preschool environment, they gain trust in the new place, teachers, and peers. From our side, consistent action is necessary, coupled with the ability to listen to the child’s needs, feelings, problems, joys, and sorrows.
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