Tips on how to help your child settle in the nursery, kindergarten and school

This step is very difficult for children, parents and the whole family. New challenges, new situations and new people await the child.
It has to learn how the system works, how to use tools, and how to perceive the team and teachers.

Start at the nursery

When we get a proper picture of what the new situation means for the child, we better understand its fear and stress aboutng kindergarten. The child will suddenly be left without parents, in a strange environment, with strange people. It does not know how long it will be there, the child does not yet understand that its mother will come back. Therefore, gradual adaptation to the environment is an excellent helper. However, not all nurseries allow this. It is a process in which the parent is initially present and their time spent in the nursery is reduced.

In addition to children, this separation is also difficult for parents to handle. They have regrets, and a child's cry only deepens these feelings. However, most children are able to calm down quickly after their parents leave. The teachers come up with an activity for the children, show them a toy or take them in their arms and entertain them. The child gradually creates a system and becomes confident that the parent will return to pick them up.

TIPS:

1. Practice separation from each other. Use children's centres or groups where the child will be taken care of for a certain period of time. Extend this time. Ask grandparents or friends to watch the child and stay away.
2. A quick goodbye. This is doubly true for these young children. Handing over a child and still holding, hugging, caressing it harms not only the children, but also the parents. Sometimes mothers can even cry in the rush of emotions from a separation. The faster the separation, the more acceptable it will be for both parties. If a child sees the mother crying, it perceives that something is wrong.
3. A favourite toy will help the child to get through the first days in kindergarten. The teacher can thus establish a natural conversation and interest with the child. It will facilitate falling asleep and help with activities.
   

First days in kindergarten

Psychologists refer to this all-day separation as the imaginary cutting of the umbilical cord. The teachers say that the second day is the most difficult, when the child already knows what is going to happen. The first day is full of expectations, the unknown, new toys, space and friends. The next day, the child is already aware of the separation.
However, this step is important in the emotional and social maturation of the child.

Talking and rehearsing

Advice and tips from psychologists are primarily about open conversations. Before entering kindergarten, explain to the child how it works there, what it will do and that you will come to pick it up at a certain time.

At least a week before starting kindergarten, adapt your daily routine to what it will be like in kindergarten. Getting up in the morning, hygiene, dressing, breakfast, games, lunch, afternoon sleep. All this must be set for the child at least approximately the same as in kindergarten.

Don't be afraid to practice separation as well. If possible, leave the child with grandparents or friends. First an hour and gradually increase the interval. Practice saying goodbye. A hug, a kiss, a caress, kind words, create your own habit. However, there is no need to prolong the farewell. However, do not forget to assure the child that you will come for it.

TIPS:

1. Never scare your child with kindergarten and don't let anyone around you to that. Talk about the kindergarten naturally and in a good way.
2. If the kindergarten system and the teacher allow it, prepare the child's favourite toy for the first days. A small stuffed animal or a favourite character that will help it fall asleep or be in contact with teachers and other children.
3. A happy mother = a happy child. The first days in kindergarten are also difficult for mothers. Try to be as calm as possible. Stick to the regime, try not to cry in front of the child and not unnecessarily burden the nursery with phone calls.
   

Hurray for school

Every child and parent handle the transition from kindergarten to school differently. Some children are very excited to go to school, others are stressed and afraid. To calm the child down, talk to him as specifically as possible about school. Describe what it looks like in the classroom, how the lesson goes, when it can eat. The same applies here as whenng kindergarten - the child must not be afraid of school.

We know threats like “you'll have problems at school” or “you'll see what you will experience at school”. For more anxious and sensitive children, school can be really scary after these conversations. Try to encourage the child and answer its questions.

Shopping for school together

Make this difficult time more enjoyable by involving your child in shopping. Take your child to the store and let it look at the school supplies. Explain to your child what it will need them for and how they are used. If you have the option, give it a choice and let it choose from the models you offer.
It will look forward to school more if it has a school bag with his favourite hero or sneakers in its favourite colour.

You can make some purchases even afterng school. This is how you can motivate your child. After school, you take it to the store and together you choose notebooks, book covers, tools exactly according to the school's requirements.

TIPS:

1. Share your own school memories with your child. Funny incidents can relax a child. If they know your friends that you went to school with, tell them you met them at school.
2. Choose clothes for the first day of school with the child. Then prepare the festive clothes in the closet, or hang them in the children's room a few days beforeng school. This is how the child will wait for that festive day.
3. Try to look at photos of the school on their website with the children. See clubs, activities, teachers. You can walk around the school and admire the playground or the decorated classrooms.
4. More timid children will enjoy a little thing that they can choose for themselves. When they are sad at school, they know how to get courage. It can be a key chain hanging on a bag or a small item in a pencil case. Some schools do not allow carrying toys because they distract children.
5. Let the child choose which treat to prepare for him. You can involve it in this process. In the store, you can invite him to choose fruit as a snack for school. You can put a note with a picture or a message in the snack box for the teacher to read.

We wish you a comfortable start to the nursery, kindergarten or school. We believe that you can do it and that your children will be wonderful students.