Transitioning from Daycare to School

Transitioning from daycare to the more regulated and formal atmosphere of school can be a challenge for young children. In most cases, they are torn between two emotions – excitement at finally going to school like “big kids” and fear about what the new environment holds for them. The excitement is obvious – it is a happy emotion they want to exhibit and share.  The fear is a negative emotion they try their best to hide, as it is ‘baby-like’.

Image Courtesy : Pexels

Both emotions are natural, but parents need to help their children avoid emotional highs and lows. The reality of school life is different from how fear can portray it to be. Too much excitement could lead to disappointment, which in turn will affect the attitude towards school. Too much fear, and the child will withdraw from the positive things that school has to offer.

The best way to help a child prepare for school is by talking to them reassuringly, and training them do things that will build their confidence. Here are a few ideas you can try.

What parents can do

1.Let your child know that you are open to talking about anything related to do with school. Do not set any specific time for this. Answer any questions or discuss anything as and when the child brings it up, so that it becomes a natural part of parent-child interaction.

2. Children may be reluctant to ask questions or raise topics they think will make them look foolish. This is when parents should start the conversation. Ask questions about what the child is expecting from school such as “What do you think the classroom will be like” or “What games you think you will play?”

3. Parting from daycare friends will be tough. Set up play dates with those children so that the bonds created at daycare will continue and be a source of confidence and strength to your child.

4. Take your child along with you when you go shopping for the things required at school. This will get her/him involved in the preparation process.

5.Your child would have received help from the daycare staffs in many routine things such as going to the bathroom, keeping track of belongings, packing the schoolbag at the end of the day and so on. This is not going to happen at school.  You need to work with her/him to manage such activities independently. The training can be, for example, in the form of a game where you hide a few things and ask the child to find out the things missing from the school bag.

6.Talk to the school authorities about any common issues they have observed when children start school. Train your child to overcome such probable problems.

7. Participate in school activities so that your child sees you there occasionally and knows that you are the link between home and school.

8. Make the first day at school a major event and cause for a memorable celebration.

A good daycare will factor in the need to prepare children for school life: she/he should be ready for the transition by the time of leaving daycare. From this point of view, if you find the present daycare inadequate, use a reputed online resource that will help you find the right daycare.