How to help your child adapt to kindergarten

The first days in kindergarten can be a serious test for a child. Separation from parents, a new daily routine, unfamiliar adults and children - all this causes stress. Many children cry, are capricious and refuse to go to kindergarten. However, adaptation can be made easier if you approach this process correctly.

Preparing for kindergarten at home
Adaptation begins long before the first day in kindergarten. Gradually accustom the child to a new routine: put him to bed earlier, introduce breakfast and lunch on schedule. Also tell the child about kindergarten, its advantages, explain that this is an interesting place where he will find friends and learn a lot of new things.

A game format is the best way to prepare. You can act out scenes with toys together: how a teddy bear goes to kindergarten, meets children, plays, has lunch and waits for mom. This will help relieve anxiety in the face of the unknown.

support in the first days
In the first days, it is important to be patient and caring. You can leave your child in the kindergarten for a short time, gradually increasing the time spent. It is also worth giving him something familiar and cozy, for example, a favorite toy, which will create a feeling of comfort.

It is important not to drag out goodbyes in the morning. Short but warm words of support will help the child feel more confident. For example: “You are great, you will succeed! I will pick you up after lunch.”

cooperation with the teacher
If adaptation is difficult, it is worth talking to the teacher. Find out how the child behaves in the group, what worries him. Perhaps he has difficulty finding a common language with other children, does not like the food, or is afraid of a noisy environment.

The conversation with the teacher should be friendly. It is important not to blame, but to ask to pay a little more attention to the child, praise him for his successes, help him adapt. Sometimes small changes in the attitude of adults can significantly facilitate adaptation.

trust and support at home
The child should know that he is understood and supported at home. It is important not to ignore his experiences, but to discuss them, helping to cope with emotions. If the child complains about the kindergarten, do not immediately say: "It's okay, you'll get used to it." It is better to ask what exactly upsets him and offer to find a solution together.

Sometimes the child just wants to share his feelings and hear that he is understood. For example: "I know that it is not easy for you, but it will get easier with each passing day. You will soon get used to it, find friends, and you will find it interesting."

patience and a positive attitude
Adaptation can take from several weeks to several months. The main thing is to stay calm, not give in to hysterics and show that the kindergarten is not a punishment, but a new stage in life. The more confident and calm the parents are, the easier it is for the child to accept changes.

Gradually, the child will get used to the new environment, find friends, get used to the daily routine, and the kindergarten will become a familiar place for him, where he feels comfortable.