Child Adaptation
Adaptation is a period of overcoming fears and building mutual trust. It takes place not only within the kindergarten but also extends to the home environment. This is the first time a child can express themselves without a parent and in the presence of other adults and children. At littleBIG, the child develops essential social and emotional skills for life, which we specifically focus on.
THE TRUST TRIANGLE
For us, it is important to create a "triangle of trust" between the child, the parent, and the kindergarten staff (specifically the teachers and instructors). It is essential that the parent trusts the child to manage in the kindergarten and that they trust the kindergarten to take the best possible care of their child. Before starting kindergarten, we hold a meeting with the parents and child, along with the psychologist, directly in the classroom the child will join. A questionnaire is filled out to get to know the child as well as possible. During this meeting, the child not only gets to see the classroom but also perceives that the parents trust the kindergarten.
Gradual Enrollment
The first day in kindergarten can be stressful for both children and parents, so we begin the adaptation process gradually. On the first day, children stay in the kindergarten for about two hours or less, and the duration of their stay is gradually extended. We adjust the process individually for each child, considering their specific needs. We also have experiences where children adapt very quickly. In such cases, we allow them to stay longer than two hours and even try having lunch together.
Responsible and Independent kindergartener
The key words for an adapted child in kindergarten are responsibility and independence. The child begins to take responsibility for their behavior and becomes more independent in decision-making and self-care activities. How can parents prepare children for this process before enrollment? Parents can start preparing their children at home by allowing them to make small decisions and gradually increasing the child's responsibilities.
Watch out for...
It is important for you as parents to realize that a child's entry into kindergarten may trigger unresolved emotions and memories from your own childhood, including negative experiences from kindergarten. Children are extremely perceptive and can pick up on even unconscious signals you send. If a parent sends a child to kindergarten but has not come to terms with this decision internally, it can cause confusion and insecurity in the child. At our kindergarten, we embrace the principle of open and honest communication. We have extensive experience with children's adaptation and are ready to support you at every step of this important transition.
