Children

The transition of the child … and the parent from kindergarten to kindergarten

Many parents have brought their children to a childcare facility from the first months of the child’s life. While some have had the opportunity to keep them at home with their grandparents or a babysitter. However, for everyone the time comes to move from a protected and muffled environment such as the nursery or one’s home to that of the kindergarten where, as a result of growth, the autonomy of the child is preferred.

I would like to reassure all parents by explaining that their concern is legitimate but can be overcome without fear.

Children who have reached the age of 3 have all the motor and cognitive skills to face daily routines in almost complete autonomy , such as peeing and pulling up their panties and trousers, brushing their teeth, tying up a jacket, eating alone, stay seated longer for the didactic activities that the teachers propose. Children are able to relate to peers and adults who have cared for them up to that point. In these first years of life they have also learned to observe small rules, to be part of the small group of friends and the large group also made up of adults.

Children are able to listen and perceive concern and as a result they too may begin to worry about something that is not so traumatic if lived peacefully, so parental tranquility helps them too.

Obviously the passage scares, as the numerical ratio changes, normally a section is made up of at least 20/25 children who are not always helped and supported in everything as they grow up, and rightly have to reach total autonomy step by step.

All this will allow children to grow up in the best possible way, because just as there are no perfect educators and teachers, there are no perfect parents either, it is important to trust your children’s teachers because they have the right skills to help, console and support the children in their growth.

Parents can facilitate the transition to the new environment by stimulating the children, during the summer holidays, through stories about what the structure is like, what it is called, the activities it will do, the new friends it will meet, trying to stimulate it more and more in its autonomy daily.

Mum and dad can get help setting and clearing the table, they can stimulate the children to get dressed by themselves, to choose the toys to take on holiday judiciously by having them explain the reason and above all respecting their times in doing it by themselves, because only in this way will they learn. “Parents also learn to listen to your children who, even if they take 5 minutes to say a sentence, are communicating with you”. Just as adults don’t like it when someone rushes or interrupts a conversation.

Another thing I recommend to all parents is not to carry children in their arms because the safety and warmth that a mother’s arms give make it difficult for them to be taught, especially since children have all the skills to walk on their legs. To stimulate the car-entrance walk, small rituals can be adopted, for example the door or gate will be opened on alternate days by the child and the mother or father.

I would also like to tell parents that when you leave your children you must try not to dwell too much on the entrance, reassure the children quickly by explaining that you have to go to work to buy food, to buy games, clothes, etc. and with a nice “hello…” you leave. Children of this age do not yet have the perception of time, but we must avoid telling lies such as “I’ll be right back” “I’ll do the shopping and I’ll be back”, because they will soon learn that it’s a lie. The more determined and coherent you are in the moment of detachment, the more they will be serene and will begin their day at kindergarten calmly.The advice is therefore to smile and leave. When you close the door or are in the car you will be taken a bit by the legitimate emotion of abandonment that accompanies the first day and by feelings of guilt especially if you left your child crying and did not want to stay, but it must be reiterated that children are the mirror of the parent’s discomfort.

Dr Kathryn Barlow

Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.

Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.

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