When I was a kid, my mom hired a sweet elderly lady in our neighborhood to care for me and my sister during the daytime. Over the years, this wonderful woman kept dozens of children at her small home. She was talented at her position. I was never bored. In the mornings, I enjoyed reading a variety of books. During the afternoons, my caretaker played several educational board games with the children she kept. I learned new words, gaming strategies, and teamwork while sitting around her dining room table playing these fun games with other kids. On this blog, you will discover how to incorporate educational board games into your daycare’s schedule.
Toddler's personalities are in a constant state of change. A few months ago, your toddler didn't want you to leave them at preschool, and now your toddler has a meltdown during pick-up and want to stay at preschool to keep playing and learning. This is a normal part of being a toddler, and the solution to your toddler's issues may be as varied as your toddler.
#1 Give Your Child Time to Say Goodbye
Your toddler may not like that you just seem to show up, and they are supposed to drop what they are doing and leave with you. Your child is more than likely really engaging in whatever activity they are participating in or whoever they are playing with. Respect your child's engagement. Say hi and give your child time to finish their activity and say goodbye to their friends. You can help prompt your child by letting them know that they can finish up their activity, and then remind your child to say goodbye to their friends. Being able to wrap up their day on their terms can help them transition from preschool to home. This should take somewhere between a few minutes to fifteen minutes; you shouldn't hang out for hours, just long enough to allow your child to wrap up what they are doing.
#2 Let Your Child Know What Is Coming Next
Not knowing what is coming after preschool may be upsetting your child. Another strategy is to let your child know what is coming next. When you pick them up, great them and tell what you are going to do when you get home and who your child will see. For example, you could say "Let's go home and say hi to the family and eat dinner together."
#3 Have a Transition Toy
Sometimes a distraction can help. That is why it can be nice to have a transition toy or item your child gets when they get to the car. Maybe they get their favorite stuffed animal when they get in the car. Having something to look forward in the car can help make leaving all the appealing toys and friends easier.
#4 Have One-On-One Time When You Get Home
Your child may meltdown just because they are tired and happy to see you at the same time. When you get home, spend a little time together reading a book or snuggling and talking for fifteen minutes or so. Making this a part of your routine can help your child leave preschool because they know they can expect one-on-one time when they get home.
Try out the strategies above until you find one that works for your child. Remember all children are different, but what most kids need is a consistent routine. Find something that works for you and your toddler and stick to it. Talk with a preschool center about any other tips for transitioning from preschool to home.
Share19 March 2019
