Your child's first day at Nursery!
The first day of preschool at Noah's Ark Nursery has arrived and it's time to begin an educational journey that will last nearly two decades.
HOW CAN YOU MAKE THIS MONUMENTAL FIRST DAY A GREAT ONE?
The Crying Game:
First, be prepared for tears. It’s a scenario played out at pre-schools everywhere. A child, screaming, holding on to mom or dad’s legs for dear life, refusing to even look at the new classroom, much less walk into it alone. Relax. It’s normal. Kids this age thrive on familiarity so when they are placed into a new situation, it’s common when they panic a little bit.
Saying goodbye to mom or dad, particularly if it’s the first time out of the house alone, can be difficult for many pre-schoolers. For some, it is old hat —– they have been in daycare for years or just have an incredibly easy going, go-with-the-flow personality. The key is that you are ready for your child to go to the pre-school. If you have any doubt or concerns, your child is going to pick on it immediately. So on the big day, keep a bright smile on your face and stay positive.
For some children crying does not start until they see the other kids doing it. It’s almost like peer pressure — you can almost see the thoughts forming in your little one’s head.
In any case, a crying child is nothing new to a preschool teacher. Chances are they have a process in place to deal with this very situation. Follow it. In most cases they will encourage you to leave. It will probably be the hardest thing you’ll have to do, but it really does work. Nine out of ten times, the child stops crying within five minutes of the parent leaving. You will return to the classroom a few hours later to find your child, happy and content with a pile of artwork they can’t wait to show you. If the preschool teacher can’t get the child to calm down, they will get in touch. Trust in their experience and know they have your child’s beat interest at heart.