The past year and a half has been disruptive for children and you may find that you’re reluctant to return your children to nursery. If you’ve had your little one at home for this period of time, it can be difficult to send them off again, but we have a few tips to make this easier on everyone involved.
Start Talking Early
Even a very small child can understand when you start talking about returning to nursery. Most children will be quite excited, so be sure to mention that it won’t happen for however long. You can start out by mentioning it and talking about their friends and teachers. This can be helpful for children to start thinking and mentally preparing about being there again.
You can also show your child photos of their classroom and teachers to help them remember. You could look at some of the projects they’ve done or discuss the activities they enjoyed. This is a fun way to build excitement again.
Make a Countdown Calendar
To help children understand how long they have until they return to nursery, make a countdown calendar. Then your child can either X out a square each day or put a sticker on the day. Take this opportunity to practice counting! They’ll enjoy seeing how the days keep counting down and it can help them feel more interested in nursery.
Take a Visit Day
If possible, visit the nursery for 15-20 minutes before the actual return date. This allows your child to reaccustom themselves to being there, with you at their side. They will feel more confident once they’re ready to attend for a full session on their own.
During the visit, ask your little one to show you around and make sure to greet the caregivers so they can see who’s there. Familiar faces can help with anxiety and nerves.
Be Patient
It’s been a difficult time for everyone and that includes children. They’ve had everything around them change and now there’ll be yet another change, even if it’s a welcome one. Be patient because, as you’ll know, little ones come up with big feelings! You may notice your child having tantrums or being dismissive which is often how they’ll express their frustration and worries.
Encourage your child to put their feelings into words or to use toys to act out how they feel. You can role play going to nursery and solving problems that your child may come up with. For example, if they’re worried about missing you, suggest that they carry a small photo with them, and reassure them that you’ll be there to pick them up at a specific time.
Returning to nursery is exciting, but it can also be scary for children. Even if they know they love it there, they’re struggling with all the adjustments that must be made.
Are you looking for the ideal nursery for your child? Contact Little Acorns Nursery today for more information as to what we offer!