A Time for Transitions

Welcome to the 2017-18 school year!

Whether you're family is new to preschool or you have a returning student, you're more than likely going through a time of transition.  If you're lucky, its a smoother transition - one where your child forgets to say goodbye.  Or you may have a child who is having a really hard time saying goodbye.  In our home, we have one of each right now!

At Duck's Nest we've been lucky to have wonderful teachers who help us with our tougher transitions.  They know all the tricks of distraction, empowerment, and routine that can help make saying goodbye a little easier for everyone.  I encourage anyone going through a tough transition to ask a teacher to help out in the mornings.  (Or afternoons - my worst transition to date was our son refusing to leave school.  We enlisted the help of one of the aforementioned teachers to escort us to the car since I couldn't manage a squirmy, upset preschooler while carrying his little sister and all of his belongings.)

Here are a few more tips to help with your morning transitions:

• Keep your tone positive and upbeat.  Children pick up on the reactions of the trusted adults in their lives. Try not to look worried or sad, and don’t linger too long. Say a quick, positive good-bye, this will help reassure your child that all will be well.
• Set up playdates with his classmates. It might help if he can arrive in the morning looking forward to seeing a specific friend or two — more of a “hello!” than a “goodbye.”
• Talk about the day's routine.  Know the flow of the classroom and talk to your child about circle time or playtime. Check the notebook to see what songs they're learning and sing them at home.  (Asking questions may not always work.)  If appropriate, share the weekly newsletter with other family members so grandma and grandpa can talk to them about their day as well.
• Give them a simple option for pick-up.  Sometimes I can distract my son with a decision of whether he'd like to be picked up in the stroller or on the bike.  Sometimes I ask him if he wants applesauce or nuts for a snack when I arrive.  Sometimes I ask if he wants our dog or his stuffed bunny waiting in the car.  Be practical, but get creative!
• Think about creating a special good-bye routine.  Waving goodbye out the window while a teacher holds him works well for us.  I see other kids "pushing" their parents out the door.  I have a friend who sings a goodbye song with her daughter.
• Resist the Rescue. Try not to run back in the classroom if you hear your child crying, as upsetting as this can be. This is a big change and your child may, quite understandably, feel sad and a little scared. But if you run back in, it sends the message that she is only okay if you are there and it is likely to prolong your child’s distress and make it harder for her to adapt. Rest assured, the teachers have many years of experience with helping families make the shift to a new school or new classroom.

Good luck and have a wonderful school year!