Supporting you and your child's transition to our playroom
Supporting you and your child's transition to our playroom
By Chelsea Park
Children can feel uncomfortable when they are surrounded by unfamiliar environments and people. Challenges to new things are not easy even for adults. However, this process is essential for both children and parents. The time to adapt to unfamiliar environments and encounter new things is the first step toward a successful transition.
Dietze & Kashin explained "Transitioning rites include the ways children and families enter the learning environment; incorporation rites involve those practices that help members of the community to feel that they belong." (p.68)
Adapting to a new environment with
your child
Providing comfortable space
Children can feel nervous and awkward when joining a new environment. Our playroom has a comfortable and quiet space for these children. We prepared fluffy sofas, cushions, and blankets, where children can relax quietly away from a busy environment.
Bringing supplies from home
Please prepare the items that your child needs to stay in our playroom. Before entering our program, we will send the list of supplies to you. These comfort objects will be items that children can use to quickly adapt to the playroom. The anxiety children feel in a new environment can be relieved by using familiar objects in the new play space. Think about how comforting it would be to hug a child's favourite blue blanket in an unfamiliar environment!
Children can bring their own water bottles, blankets, and special toy to the playroom. We recommend that you label your child's belongings that you bring to the centre from home. A child can look at these labels to find and use his or her own items from home.
Talking to your teacher about your child
What kind of routine does your child have? We want to know how long your child naps and what songs they like. These little pieces of information allow teachers in the playroom to know what to prepare for the child. Does your child like to drink milk during lunchtime? What is your child's favorite animal these days? Help us get to know your child!
Decorating your own hanger
Our
playroom has a cubby area for the children's belongings. Children can hang
their clothes and bags on their own hanger. To help your child transition into our program, we
recommend decorating your child's hanger with beads, or stickers. When your child enters the classroom, he or she can store their belongings on their decorated hook, and start the day with a happy smile.
Our playroom always welcomes new friends. Children will have wonderful experiences here. They will meet new friends, connect with nature, and play games that can develop creativity and imagination. Before enjoying all of this, we will help your child successfully adapt to the playroom. This process is very important to you, your child, and us. Alberta Flight Framework also mentions, "Enhancing continuity in transitions for children’s experiences influences their well-being and learning as they move within and between the familiar and unfamiliar in their daily living, playing, and learning." (p.72)
We will encourage your child to participate in a variety of activities using their current interests to find a space within the playroom where he or she feels comfortable and excited to learn.
References
Makovichuk, L., Hewes, J., Lirette, P., & Thomas, N. (2014). Flight: Alberta’s early learning and care framework. Retrieved from flightframework.ca.
Austrew, A. (2021). 13 tips for the first day of daycare [Photograph]. https://www.care.com/c/16-tips-for-the-first-day-of-day-care/
Dietze & Kashin. (2016). Empowering Pedagogy. (1st ED). Toronto, Pearson
Ward, K. (2022). 12 questions to ask during a parent-teacher conference [Photograph].https://www.care.com/c/20-questions-to-ask-during-a-parent-teacher-c/?related_content=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.care.com%2Fc%2F16-tips-for-the-first-day-of-day-care%2F
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