WHAT SHOULD YOU CONSIDER WHEN STARTING NURSERY?
In this period, which requires separation from parents and establishing relationships with new adults and peers, the entire family, including the child, may be affected and may worry adults as well as the child. The best way to reduce a child's anxiety and stress is to recognize your own anxiety. When the child feels that his family trusts him in the place he left him, he will feel more comfortable and it will be easier to leave.
INTRODUCE THE NURSERY TEACHER AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Before starting the child, the child will feel more comfortable in the nursery and it will be easier to leave. It is necessary to introduce the teacher, talk about what he can do there, answer his questions, but create a realistic approach while doing all this. Sentences such as "You will have a lot of fun on your first day at school, you will love everyone very much" should be avoided as having high expectations in the child may disappoint him/her.
LEAVING MUST BE GRADED
Starting school at the same time It is a separation process and it is very normal for both parties to have anxiety. The separation must be gradual so that the child does not feel insecure in an environment he is just getting to know. It is important to limit the time the child stays in the nursery at the beginning and to have a trusted person within reach of the child. For example; On the first day, the mother can stay in the nursery for 1 hour, the next day she can stay for 2 hours and the mother can wait in the waiting room. During this process, an object such as a toy or a photograph that will comfort the child and remind him of you can be given to the child. It is necessary to explain what you will receive in a decisive language. Just as parents have to go to work every day, a statement should be made that children should also go to school, and you should explain that you will go now but you will come and take him back when the time comes (can be explained with a concept of time that he understands, for example, when it gets dark, etc.) You should leave. It may be beneficial to create a special order for you and him during this separation process. For example, your child may wave to you from the window every day. or say goodbye through the door.
YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS CRYING IS IMPORTANT
In the first days, when it is time to separate, your child may react too much and start crying. In this case, it should first be evaluated whether this reaction is really a reaction caused by extreme anxiety or a temporary reaction where your limits are tested. For most children, this reaction is a normal reaction to having to get used to a new situation. In this case, the determined and consistent attitude of the family and the institution allows this reaction to decrease and disappear over time. However, it should not be forgotten that reactions may occur from time to time and even a child who seems to be used to it may react. In such a situation, it is beneficial to take a determined stance without worrying and to investigate the reasons for this return and try to find a solution.
If the first option occurs, that is, the child goes into an endless crying spell and it is not possible for him to calm down, the reasons for this reaction should be investigated. The child's readiness for school should be re-evaluated. The birth of a new sibling, separation of parents, or immediately after important life events may not be the right time to start kindergarten. Another vital change that the child has to get used to during the start of kindergarten significantly delays his adaptation to kindergarten. Likewise, the child should not be expected to adapt to another new situation during the process of starting kindergarten. (For example, being asked to give up the pacifier.)
DO NOT COMPARE HIM WITH ANYONE ELSE
Every child is unique and unique. Each child's adaptation period is different. Since each child's reaction may be different, comparing him/her with other children during this period will not do much other than worrying you, making him/her angry and making him/her feel inadequate. Instead, it will be useful to make the child feel that he is not alone, that he is loved, cared about, that his concerns are understood, and that his parents are with him and support him under all circumstances during this new process.
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