With September fast approaching, bringing with it a new school term and a new influx of new children into every classroom, teachers are already preparing the environment and are ready to help make the transition from home to nursery as smooth as possible.
Here are some top tips (tried and tested hundreds of times) to help support even the most nervous of families! Because, let’s be fair, no one ever said giving your most treasured possession to a stranger was going to be easy.
Maria Montessori recognised ‘separation anxiety’ as a natural occurrence in young children, especially at times such as starting nursery. Separation anxiety is perfectly normal and will peak around the age of 8 months and potentially continue until around 5 years old.
Strategies to encourage a positive transition to nursery
Settling in
Make use of the offered settling in sessions; speak openly with your child’s key worker about them and their usual routines at home. Try and ask as many questions as possible during this time to put your mind at rest.
Routine
A good, clear morning (drop off) routine can help. Create a predictable morning routine with a consistent ‘goodbye’ hug or special words to help your child know what to expect, making them feel more secure during the drop off. If your child is old enough, communicate what will happen, use positive language and validate any ‘sad’ feelings they may have. Remain calm and confident throughout – we can always shed a little tear later when they are safe and happy in their classrooms.
Home Comforts
Allow your child to bring something familiar from home to help them feel safe and still connected to family whilst away, for some children this is a simple item such as a dummy or a blanket. Not all children have these attachments though, expect that items such as photographs from home and any other items children feel especially fond of will be welcomed.
Time to leave
Once you have said your goodbyes, trust your child’s ability to cope in a new environment and trust in your child’s teachers. Make a quick and confident exit. Parents lingering around can only prolong the anxiety for both them and their child. Parental behaviour is key to building up children’s confidence in new situations.
Communication
Parents should expect clear communication around their child’s settling in, general progress and development from the very first settling in session and beyond. Find out if your nursery has access to telephone, email or even an app for information should it be needed across the day. Never be afraid to ask questions, not matter how trivial. Sometimes a worry shared can be all it takes to ease your mind and concern.
Separation anxiety will usually lessen with time as children adjust to their new environment. Being patient and positive (even when you feel you can’t) is the best we can do to help. Each individual child is different and may need different approaches across differing lengths of time to feel fully secure.
The Montessori People encourage a calm, consistent and predictable environment to create a sense of security for each new child. We are always on hand to help elevate your worries and concerns.