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Early Learning, Champaign, IL
Introduction
Today about half of U.S. children are attending a child care program or are in care in a center or in a family day care home by the age of 12 months. Entry age into care and programs outside the home takes place from six weeks of age to five years of age. The issues and methods of helping a child adjust to a program or preschool should correspond with the age, developmental level, and background of the child. An increasing number of children enter preschools and child care from international families and hear two or more languages in their homes. Special attention needs to be paid to helping children become comfortable in group settings when they are just beginning to learn English and may be experiencing culture shock as well as anxiety about separation from their parents.
To help your child prepare, begin by preparing yourself as a parent who has confidence in your child's ability to function in a group and to become more independent and enjoy himself/herself in the new program. A parent who speaks very positively about his or her child's upcoming experience in a new program is more likely to have a child who is successful in making a break from the parent than one whose parent expresses doubts and guilt at leaving the child. Be very positive about the setting when visiting before the child will stay by himself.
Follow the teacher or care giver or director's requests about how to conduct the orientation visit and when to leave your child. Many caregivers have experienced the separation process many times and can give you advice about how to make the break once the child has become comfortable in the setting. Cooperate and support the care giver/teacher by bringing items which they request such as extra clothes, diapers, sunscreen, a family photo, or a familiar object for security. Supply all requested telephone numbers and other medical and personal data about how your child is likely to adapt to the new situation. The teacher can then spend her time more meaningfully directly with your child instead of searching for needed items and information.
To prepare your child talk with her, read to her, listen to her, help her understand her world. One center director loans families a book called My First Day at Preschool by Edwina Riddle to take home and read in preparation of starting the program. Other books about entering preschool or child care are available at libraries and book stores. If your family is beginning to learn English, teach your child a few English words such as about drinking water, eating, and going to the bathroom. Encourage and support pro-social behaviors by participating in a play group, visiting a park, or inviting children to meet and supervise their play to help them understand the give and take of sharing. Discourage aggression and rough physical play. Encourage your child to try basic tasks at home like feeding himself, hand washing, cleaning up after himself. Use a family member or familiar babysitter to help your child get used to being independent of you for a short time. She will gain confidence that you will return for her. Small steps toward independence will help your child separate from you more easily.
Online Resources
- Back to School Time - Tips to Help Children Adjust
(National Association for the Education of Young Children)
Back to school time often means changes for children and families. Making smooth transitions between home, programs, and schools can help children feel good about themselves and ease parents' concerns.
http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content3/back.school.p.k12.4.html - Ready or Not...Preparing Young Children for the Classroom
(National Association for the Education of Young Children).
Parents can use these suggestions to help children get ready to begin preschool.
http://readyweb.crc.uiuc.edu/virtual-library/1997/readynot.html - First Day Tips
(National Network for Child Care)
Prepare your child by talking about what she can expect with a positive attitude and calm voice. Discuss the days he will attend school or childcare and whether he will eat or nap there.
http://www.nncc.org/Choose.Quality.Care/first.day.tip.html - Separation Anxiety in Young Children
(National Parent Information Network)
Parents can help make the transition from parent care to preschool or childcare easier on the child.
http://library.adoption.com/Child-Development/Separation-Anxiety-in-Young-Children/article/3338/1.html - Coping With Separation Anxiety
(National Parent Information Network)
Parents can help with separation anxiety and be aware of signs of problems in a child's adjustment to day care or preschool.
http://library.adoption.com/Child-Development/Coping-With-Separation-Anxiety/article/1160/1.html - Easing Separation Anxiety
(National Network for Child Care)
Caregivers or teachers can help children make the transition to a new day care center or preschool.
http://www.nncc.org/Guidance/dc11_ease.transit.html
ERIC Digests
- Another Look at What Young Children Should Be Learning
In terms of broad goals, most teachers and parents readily agree that children should learn whatever will ultimately enable them to become healthy, competent, productive, and contributing members of their communities. This Digest first defines the concept of development and then outlines some ways to approach both the "what" and "when" questions in terms of what we are learning from research about the effects of various curriculum approaches.
http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/1999/katzle99.html - Lasting Benefits of Preschool Programs
The programs examined in the longitudinal studies reported in this digest served young children living in poverty who were at special risk of school failure. These studies suggest that high-quality programs for young children produce significant long-term benefits.
http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/1994/schwei94.html
ERIC Database Search: Selected records
To search for additional ERIC resources on this topic, try the descriptors "preschool education" or "preschool children" or "day care," combined with descriptors "transitions" or "transitional programs." The first set may also be combined with the keyword "beginning."
How to Obtain ERIC Documents and Journal Articles:
References identified with an ED (ERIC document)or EJ (ERIC journal) are cited in the ERIC database. ERIC Documents (citations identified by an ED number) may be available in full text from ERIC at no cost at the ERIC Web site: http://www.eric.ed.gov. Journal articles are available from the original journal, interlibrary loan services, or article reproduction clearinghouses.
If you would like to conduct your own free ERIC database searches via the Internet, go directly to http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=advanced
Selected Records: through March 2002
- Beginning Child Care Fact Sheets
Author(s) Tweedie, Pat
Source: Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater. Cooperative Extension Service. March 1996
These six fact sheets from Child Care Aware are designed to help parents ease their children's transition to child care. Each fact sheet contains suggested readings and references. - Infant and Toddler Transitions. Training Guides for the Head Start Learning Community
Author affiliation: Aspen Systems Corp., Rockville, MD.
Source: Administration for Children, Youth, and Families (DHHS), Washington, DC. Head Start Bureau. 1999
Parents and early childhood staff and managers can support and facilitate infant and toddler transitions through responsive relationships that are secure and consistent. The Information Resources section includes digests, program profiles, hands-on tools, and other resources. - Transitions: Parents Are Key. Training Guides for the Head Start Learning Community
Author affiliation: Aspen Systems Corp., Rockville, MD.
Source: Administration for Children, Youth, and Families (DHHS), Washington, DC. Head Start Bureau. 1998
Training activities and hands-on action tools can help parents and staff work in partnership as children transition into and out of Early Head Start, Head Start, child care settings, and elementary schools. - The Power and Passion of Playpacks
Author(s) Smith, Nanette
Source: European Conference on the Quality of Early Childhood
Education. September 1995
Transition into school is eased by an induction program for preschool children that promotes the emotional needs of the child. - Preschool for Parents: What Every Parent Needs To Know about Preschool
Author(s) Dodge, Diane Trister; Bickart, Toni S.
Source: Teaching Strategies, Inc., P.O. Box 42243, Washington, DC 20015. 1998
A high-quality preschool program is one that promotes learning through rich play experiences. This book is a guide for parents in selecting the right preschool for their children.
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