Today is the start of the new school year ! For the first time, my little protégé will be leaving the family nest to discover daycare. I’m still not sure which of us is more anxious about this new experience. Will he be able to adapt to his new environment? Will he get on with his new playmates? What should I do if he doesn’t want to return ?
This period of doubt that many parents experience is perfectly natural and human. It is therefore important to remember that toddlers generally experience this transition better than their parents do.
Daycare is an essential stage in a child’s learning and development, as he or she will have to get used to many changes in his or her daily routine. So how can we help him adapt to his new life in a strange land?
The different adaptation phases
Every child reacts in a unique way, and his or her ability to adapt to a new environment varies according to character, age and the relationship he or she has with parents. Your little adventurer will first go through a period of observation, during which he’ll discover his new playground and his first friends. The first few days following integration may be more difficult for him, as the surprise effect gradually wears off. He has now adapted to his surroundings and realizes that he’ll have to come back every day.
Separation anxiety usually appears after a few weeks, and can manifest itself in crying when parents drop him off at daycare in the morning. The child may appear sad, but this is his own way of expressing his fear of abandonment. Don’t worry, this phase is completely natural and normal. The separation effect doesn’t last, and little by little your child will form a bond with the daycare center, with his friends and with the educators, who will quickly erase this feeling of insecurity. Rest assured, the bond of attachment with parents always remains the most solid and important in the child’s eyes !
How can we make it easier to adapt ?
Here are a few tips to help and support your child :
- Don’t escape discreetly! It’s important that your child understands when you’re leaving and when you’ll be picking him up. If you don’t, he’ll feel more abandoned.
- Don’t make false promises ! Don’t tell your child you’ll be outside waiting for him on the bench during the day.
- Don’t change your routine ! Adaptation is already a major upheaval in your toddler’s daily life. Make sure that his daily routine at home remains stable and unchanged, as this is his landmark.
- Visit the daycare center and meet the educators with your child before the first day ! It’s a great way to reassure him and ease his integration. He’ll already have a taste of the place and his future days. You also need to explain to him how his new daily routine will be filled. For example, you can take photos or browse the website to show off the faces of our educators and facilities.
- Let him pick up a transitional object at daycare ! Not necessarily his favorite cuddly toy, but something that reminds him of home and family.