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As a parent, it is surprising how quickly the first few years of your child’s life fly by. One moment you are cradling them for the first time, then next, you are preparing them for school!
Granted, sending your little one to nursery can be nerve-racking. You may feel uncomfortable about letting your baby go or wonder how well they will adjust to life at school.
Although the first few days at preschool can be bumpy, you can do a lot to make the transition much less stressful. Here are a few pointers to help your baby ease into school life.
Adjust Your Attitude
The way you think about preschool affects your baby’s perception of school. If you are anxious and worried, your baby will pick up on your anxiety and replicate the same emotion. The starting point, therefore, is to be optimistic about school.
Your child thinks of you as their safe place, so they will rely on you to teach them about school. If you emphasise that school is exciting and wonderful, then they will view it as such. Be sure to have a positive attitude to make things easy for your little one.
Introduce Them to School Set-ups
Nurseries are filled with toddlers. If your baby does not usually play with other toddlers, this new environment can be shocking to them. This can be particularly frightening to an only- child who is always near a parent.
One of the best ways to introduce your kid to a school-like environment is to arrange play-dates with other kids. Not only do these mimic nursery, but children also learn social skills during these dates. Additionally, play dates can be a lot of fun for your baby.
Give Them Simple Tasks
Part of learning in nurseries like Angels by day Nursery includes teaching children responsibility. Often, their instructors assign them simple tasks like handing out snacks or arranging toys after playing.
Try doing the same for your kid. You could have them perform similar tasks at home, like returning toys to the toy basket or arranging books on their shelves. This will provide them with ample practice, and they will find school somewhat familiar.
Consider A School with a Settling-In Option
One cannot overemphasise how vital it is for parents to be careful when picking a nursery for their kids. You want to choose a school that emphasises your values and endeavours to instil them in your kid. You also want a nursery that helps your kid settle in with ease.
Some nurseries allow parents to attend the first days of school alongside their kids. This enables the children to explore the new environment comfortably, secure in knowing that mom or dad is nearby should they need them. Ultimately, it makes them more confident and certainly helps them adapt to school.
Conclusion
Although nursery can be anxiety-inducing for both parents and kids, it helps to have a positive approach to the experience. Let your child know that they are safe in school and reassure them as much as they need. If you follow the tips in this post, your child will adapt to nursery with remarkable ease.
Laura x