Drop-Off Transitions
The day has come, the first day of school! Here are some ways you can prepare for success on your first day.
Prepare for the big transition
Check out our first blog post, Big Transitions, for guidance on approaching the days leading up to school starting.
Ample time
Make sure you give yourself enough time that first morning. It’s important that you and your child can approach the first day with ease and peace. This might mean waking up a bit earlier or prepping the night before. Try to arrive on time for drop-off so your child becomes aware of the routine and they don’t feel the rush of having to catch up.
Giving them the lead
Just as the Montessori principles urge us to follow the child, we must let them take the lead during these big life transitions for them. When you arrive at school, take them out of the stroller, bike seat, etc., and hold their hand as you walk towards the door. Let them walk up to the school door (either up the ramp for Dogwood and Sycamore or up to the small steps in Seedlings) and walk at their pace. If they get nervous or upset, avoid pulling them or carrying them up to the ramp/up to the steps. It might be best to take a walk around the block or take a moment to comfort them a few feet away from the door and try again after a few minutes. It’s important that your child feels that they are leaving you, not that you are leaving them. When they have control of walking into the school, a space they can feel ownership over, it allows for an easier time acclimating to their new environment.
Caregiver comfort
All children react differently on the first day, and that’s perfectly normal! If your child shows signs of worry or distress, try to provide some additional cuddles, hold their hand, and use a comforting voice during drop-off. When people are in distress, our brain releases the stress hormone cortisol. Hugging and providing physical comfort reverses that effect by releasing our feel-good chemical, oxytocin, which causes cortisol levels to drop. So hug it out! It can also help to have a unique drop-off ritual such as a handshake or a goodbye song during drop-off that you create together and feels extra special.
Say Your Goodbyes
One of the most important drop-off practices is saying goodbye and reassuring who will pick up and when. When you’re at the door, and your child is ready to walk inside, remember always to say goodbye to close off that part of the drop-off transition and give some reassurance by mentioning who will pick them up that day. You can also mention the time “after you wake up from your nap/ lunch/ park time.” Young preschoolers aren’t developmentally capable of understanding time yet, so a concrete activity they can sequence in their day, such as nap time (or lunchtime if your child gets picked up at 1 pm) is best. Once drop-off becomes a part of your daily routine, and your child is well adjusted, you can start introducing time as a way to practice this cognitive skill that is still developing.
Comfort Objects
Allowing your child to bring a piece of home (or of you) during their transition can be a wonderful tool. Whether it be a stuffy that they love or a personal small object that reminds them of home, you can get creative with a comfort object that they can physically hold onto during the day. These objects are a physical connection to their home/caregivers/family and can create a significant sense of security for your child during transitions. It’s also a reminder of home that they can go back to at different times of the day.
We ask all families to provide 8-10 printed photos (approx. 4inx6in) of their families, friends, and favorite things to include in our “About Me” books that each child makes. You can send them during these first days, and we will use them to make the books with your child as a bonding activity and a way for them to practice talking about themselves, their families, and what they love!
Teacher Comfort
Sometimes it takes a while for children to regulate their emotions, and that’s ok! It’s a skill they are in the midst of developing. If you’ve spent some time giving comfort, but they’re still upset, give a loving goodbye and reassure your child that they are safe and you will be back at the end of the day, and then allow for their teacher to help continue the transition. All teachers and staff have your child’s safety and wellbeing as a top priority, and one of those things is making sure they feel calm and at peace while in school. It might take a few minutes to let those emotions release before they’re ready to engage in the classroom. During that time, their teachers will provide comfort and care, and we will send you a Brightwheel message to let you know how they are adjusting. You can share any self-soothing practices that your child uses with our staff, or if you speak another language at home, we’re happy to learn about what words or phrases we can use to help them feel more at ease.
Maintaining Ease
It can be hard to drop off your child on the first day, especially if it’s the first time you will be away from them for long periods of time. While we know that feeling of separation anxiety can be overwhelming, it’s something that’s ingrained in our genes, caregivers, and children alike. Our separation distress system is evolutionarily programmed to be hyper-sensitive, and as our executive functioning matures, so does our ability to inhibit this system. As adults, we have the ability to regulate our feelings to maneuver these moments with ease and tranquility to provide children a grounding sense of peace during transitions. The important part is to keep the moment positive and maintain a comforting and calm energy.
We’re looking forward to a fantastic start to our year! And please don’t forget, we’re here to support you through this!
Check out this video about successful preschool transitions by LePort Montessori Schools for more information.
In partnership,
Victoria
