Tips for When Your Little One Starts School or Daycare

Starting a new school or daycare can be stressful, but as long as the program is high-quality, the transition will be a “positive stressor” on your child — the process of adapting to the new environment will help her grow. She gets a chance to develop close relationships with other adults and peers, and going through this process builds her confidence to tackle future transitions.

We love this article from Claire Lerner which lists several ways to help your toddler cope with the transition, including:
1) Talk to your child about the transition a few days before. Validate their fears before providing reassurance.
2) Create a special goodbye ritual (and/or a reunion ritual).
3) Trust that your child WILL adapt with support from you and the caregivers.
Check out the article for more: http://bit.ly/2BT4y7q

Our favorite part of her article is the advice to check in with ourselves and manage our own emotions. Let’s be honest — the transition is often harder on us than it is on our kids! It is so natural to feel anxious about the drop off, and to feel your own strong emotions before, during or after. (I have plenty of first-hand experience with this one as my daughter took about 3 months to adjust to her last school!

Just remember that our children pick up on our cues and look to us to determine whether they are in a safe situation. So, as much as you can, it’s best to keep your goodbye brief and exude confidence, optimism and an upbeat attitude when you drop off your child. Take a moment this week to check in with yourself or talk to your partner or friends about any anxiety you may have — or write to us about it here! We’ve got your back, and we PROMISE it will get better.

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