Dear parents,
We are so glad for your choice of Beanstalk International kindergarten, and we are still so happy to company with children’s development. It is the firs step for your child to go to the community, out of the home to kindergarten. This moment is worthy celebrating and cherished, but we are sure that the parents feel both excited and anxious. There are many differences in living, social and others between at home and kindergarten. There will be difficult for children to be accustomed to the new environment at the first beginning, and mainly children will have various emotions like crying. Actually, the separation anxiety is happened when adapting to the new community and environment, but much of them is from the parents who show the separation anxiety at the same time.
We totally understand and feel that anxiety. In Beanstalk, we are willing to support the parents to overcome the separation anxiety, and we are willing to help children to adjust to the new community naturally. We trust the preparation ahead in the union between teachers and parents will help children to adjust themselves into the best condition and beat the anxiety in the short term.
Is your child entering a kindergarten program for the first time? Use these tips to help both you and your child make a smooth transition.
1. Visit your local library during a read-aloud time or other playgrounds so your child gets used to hearing someone other than Mom, Dad, or Grandpa read aloud book in a group setting.
2. Find out about the toileting procedures at the new school or center so you can review the situation with your child and make sure she is comfortable.
3. Arrange play dates with children who will be in your child’s class. Usually moms or dads go along on these early play dates. Ask the teacher or school for a list of children who will be in your child’s class.
4. If there’s a school visiting day, make sure you and your child participate. If you aren't able to participate, call the school to arrange for a visit to the school and to meet your child’s teacher.
5.Make a book at home about the new kindergarten experience your child is about to begin. Perhaps take photos of the school or of your child in front of school and add text like: “This is Sammy at school. This is her favorite t-shirt. This is Mommy picking up Sammy when school is over.”
6. Tell stories about when you went to school and share how you felt about it. Find childhood pictures of yourself and other adults in your child’s life and talk about the photos.
7. If your child has never before been cared for by someone else, start to leave her for short periods of time with friends or relatives. Reinforce the fact that you will return and that she is safe with others.
8. Give your child a personal belonging of yours like a favorite scarf or bandanna so she knows you will come back to get it.
9. Read books about going to school and saying goodbye, such as
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
David Goes to School by David Shannon
Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen
First Day of School by Anne Rockwell
When I Miss You by Cornelia Maude Spelman
Take a Kiss to School by Angela McAllister
It’s Time for Preschool by Esme Raj Codell
A Pocketful of Kisses by Audrey Penn
10. Select a special object from home that your child can take to school--like a small toy, a book to share, and a small pillow for nap time.
11. Remember that separation is a process. Expect that your child (or yourself) will need time to feel comfortable with the new situation.
12. Establish a routine of 'early to bed' and “school wake-up time” several weeks before school begins so your child has time to adjust to the new schedule.
