Adaptation Of The Child To Kindergarten

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

When bringing a child to kindergarten for the first time, parents often worry, how will he be there? This excitement is understandable: they leave the child with strangers. If the child does not want to part with the usual, sometimes refuses to go to the group, the hearts of mothers are filled with confusion and anxiety.

Having worked with preschoolers for over 15 years, I have come across similar stories more than once and I want to share how to make it easier for a child to get used to kindergarten.

How does adaptation proceed?

Children behave differently when they enter kindergarten. Some come to the group confidently, calm enough, begin to play, others observe more, may refuse to communicate with the teacher, reject all offers, others are afraid to leave their mother, cry inconsolably. What explains such different behavior of children?

There are three phases of adaptation:

1. The acute phase, or the period of maladjustment, when the child may have frequent illnesses, appetite and sleep disorders, unwillingness to go to kindergarten.

2. Actually adaptation - during this period the child gradually gets used to new conditions, the behavior is gradually normalized.

3. Compensation phase - children begin to behave calmly, the emotional state is positive.

The adaptation period can last from 2 weeks to 3-4 months. After long breaks, the child's adaptation process can begin anew.

Causes of heavy addiction to kindergarten

The addiction to kindergarten is influenced by various factors:

• the absence in the family of a regime that coincides with the regime of a children's institution,
• the presence of negative habits (nipple sucking, motion sickness when laying down),
• inability to occupy oneself with a toy,
• lack of formation of the necessary cultural and hygienic skills,
• the age of the child,
• the state of health and the level of development of the child (a healthy, well-developed child is easier to tolerate the difficulties of adaptation),
• individual characteristics (some children at first get used to it difficult, then the behavior is normalized, others, on the contrary, on the first day outwardly calm, and on the next they cry, eat poorly, sleep, etc.),

• biological factors (toxicosis and diseases of the mother during pregnancy, complications during childbirth and diseases in the first three months of life, as well as frequent diseases before entering kindergarten),
• the level of training of adaptive mechanisms (children who, before entering kindergarten, repeatedly got into different conditions - visited relatives, acquaintances, went to the country, etc., it is easier to get used to the preschool institution).

However, the main reason for severe addiction is the child's lack of experience with adults and children. Especially those children suffer, whose experience has been narrowed to a minimum (mother-child, grandmother-child), limited by the family. It is difficult for such children to meet new people, to establish contact with them. The more the social circle was before entering the kindergarten, the more difficult it is for the child, the longer it takes him to form a relationship with the teacher.

When a child's experience of communicating with peers is limited, a large number of children in a group causes him to fear, a desire to retire. Such a child, if he has a positive experience of communication with outside adults, is drawn to the teacher.

For every 100 children, there are 2-3 cases of prolonged, complicated adaptation to kindergarten conditions. As a rule, these are the only children in the family or are often ill.

When is it better to send a child to kindergarten

Children aged 10-11 months to 2 years old are the most difficult to adapt to new conditions. After 2 years, children become more curious, they can be interested in a new toy, activities. Children understand the speech of an adult well, it is easier to calm them down.

Many psychologists consider the age of 2-3 years to be the best moment for a successful and early adaptation of a child to the regime of stay in kindergarten. This period marks the onset of the early childhood crisis, called the three-year crisis. Children, striving to assert their I, are drawn to independence. It is at this time that the kindergarten mode of life can favorably affect the formation of the personality of preschoolers and their adaptation to the new social environment. At the same time, the child should not be given in the acute period of the crisis, this may worsen its course. At a time when the child needs understanding and support, in addition to the mental burden of the crisis, another heavy burden is placed on the child's shoulders - the burden of adaptation to kindergarten. Therefore, it is better to give the child a little later, as his adaptive mechanisms improve.

Also, an unfavorable period is 4 years and an interval from 5 to 6 years. Here, the development of the child is relatively stabilized, and a sharp change in lifestyle associated with the loss of privacy (the opportunity to be alone with oneself or a loved one who feels his mood well, knows his needs, desires and habits) can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Immersion in the atmosphere of a kindergarten community is perceived as violence against the individual, the loss of one's own individuality. Difficult experiences entail the emergence of protest forms of behavior: hysterics, whims, and sometimes somatic disorders - fever, abdominal pain, exacerbation of chronic diseases. Children resort to manipulation, demanding a return to their former free life at home. The child, as it were, involves adults in a protracted struggle, where the question of “who will beat whom” is decided either in favor of the parents or in favor of the baby. The child's actions are lined up like this: first, requests and stories about how bad everything is in the kindergarten are used, if it does not help, then tears and tantrums come into play, they do not work, and there remains one more remedy - illness. When, after recovery, the baby is again taken to kindergarten, a relapse may occur.

You should not send your child to kindergarten even at the time when another baby was born to you, although this makes life easier. It is better to do this a little earlier or postpone it for a while. The older child will already feel that a new family member has appeared in the house and much has changed, and the parents' decision can be interpreted as their own exile, concluding that you prefer a newborn to him. This will not only complicate adaptation, but also affect the relationship between children.

How to make it easier for a child to get used to kindergarten

Even before entering kindergarten, it is necessary to prepare the child to communicate with other children and adults. To visit playgrounds with him, invite him home and go to visit people who have children, teach children to play with peers.

It will be easier for a child to get used to the kindergarten if he has formed basic self-service skills: he knows how to eat on his own, use a pot, etc. If he is still breastfed and cannot live without a nipple, this will greatly complicate adaptation.

It is necessary to prepare the child in advance for the idea of the need to attend kindergarten. About 2-4 weeks before he starts going there, tell him about the kindergarten, what he might be interested in there, what he can learn there. Take him there so that he finds out what it is, introduce him to the educators, take a walk with the children. Be happy about your decision, say that you are very proud of it - after all, it is already so big that it can go to kindergarten. Do not make this event a problem, do not talk every day about the upcoming change in his life, increasing his anxiety.

Create a positive kindergarten image. You cannot frighten the kindergarten: “You will see, the teacher will make you obey. If you don’t sleep, I’ll leave you to dine in the garden,”and so on. Do not express regret to your child that you have to send him to kindergarten. It is necessary to emphasize that he has nothing to fear, no one will offend him. Showing your worry and anxiety will only increase his insecurity.

Remind the child the day before that he is going to the group tomorrow and answer his questions. Tell him that you will definitely go with him.

Get him used to kindergarten gradually. It is better to agree on the time with the teacher and at first bring him only for a few hours for a morning walk and pick him up before lunch or come in the evening when some of the children have already gone home and the teacher can pay more attention to him. At such hours, he will be able to show the parents and the group where the child will be. You can agree on the child's regimen, talk about his habits. In addition, the child can see the joyful meetings of children with their parents, and will not witness partings and tears in the morning. Gradually, you will increase the time of stay and will come for it in the afternoon, then leave it for sleep, for an afternoon snack. If there are no complications, after 2 weeks you can switch to the usual regimen. Do not delay the adaptation process, otherwise the child will get used to his special position.

The kid can take some toy from the house to the kindergarten, this familiar, close object will calm him down, connect him with the house. Let the toy "go to the kindergarten" with him. Ask the child what happened to the toy in kindergarten, who was friends with her, who hurt her, if she was sad. So the child, indirectly on behalf of the toy, will tell you about himself.

When you leave, be sure to say goodbye to him. Otherwise, the child will not be able to concentrate on something, since he will constantly look around, checking if his mother is there. Do not forget to assure that you will return for him in the evening to go home together.

Parents often find it difficult to endure the tears of a child when parting. The main difficulty here is not to succumb to the provocations of the baby. The child should know, feel from the first day that he has no choice - visiting the kindergarten is inevitable. Then he will direct all his efforts towards finding something positive for himself in this situation. Be consistent and confident in what you do. Tell the baby firmly that you leave him only for a few hours, that it is necessary that you love him and will definitely come for him at a certain time. Shorten the moment of goodbye. If you take too long, he will start feeling sorry for himself. When you leave, he will be distracted by the new environment. As a rule, the child quickly calms down after the parents leave. You can create a goodbye ritual, for example, agree in advance with your child that you will wave him out the window, so it will be easier for him to let you go. Praise him on days when your breakup will be calm.

By agreement with the administration of the kindergarten and the group's staff, you can stay in the kindergarten with your child. But if you drag out the parting, listening to the crying of the child, or alternate several days in the garden with a week at home, then the situation can become even more difficult for the parents, and for the child, and for the surrounding children and adults.

It is better for mom to pick up the baby in the first days. Moreover, at least in the first weeks, you need to try to come for him early, not be late. If all other children have already gone home, then the child may feel forgotten. Therefore, the next day, he may not want to let you go.

Communicate with educators, ask about the well-being and condition of your child, about how he behaves among his peers. Be sure to warn him if he has any habits or allergies. Take an interest in his success. Good contact with educators is also a guarantee of a child's well-being in kindergarten.

How to behave at home when a child gets used to kindergarten

The child's full adaptation to kindergarten usually occurs in 2-3 months. During this period, one must be very careful so that the child does not get the impression that his old, pre-Kindergarten life is over forever.

During the adaptation period, the child can be moody, irritable. His sleep and appetite may worsen. It is necessary to show special attention and sensitivity to the baby. The regime in the family should be gentle, it is necessary to compensate for the possible lack of sleep and malnutrition of the child in a preschool institution. An older child on weekends can be allowed to make his own menu.

Show interest in his activities in kindergarten. Find out what was good during the day, what was not very successful, what the children did, with whom the child played, what he learned new. Listen carefully to everything he tells you about the kindergarten. Store his drawings or crafts he brings home.

If your child wants to take his drawing to the teacher, support this desire. If he wants to bring home his little kindergarten friend, consider that for your child there is no longer a big difference between his life at home and life in the garden. From now on, one continues the other. Rejoice in this.

The child returns from kindergarten filled with impressions. Therefore, in the house you need to create such an atmosphere so that he was alone with himself, rested. He also needs the company of his parents, whom he has not seen all day. Try to pay attention to him - despite all the busyness: read a book, play a quiet game, let him just sit on the lap of mom or dad, talk about something intimate. If the child receives attention and love, if the child is happy at home, then he will be happy in the kindergarten.

When a child refuses to go to kindergarten

Finally, the time comes when the baby will calmly go to kindergarten. However, sometimes difficulties arise 3-4 weeks after entering the garden. One morning, for no apparent reason, at the moment when it is necessary to go to the kindergarten, the child suddenly bursts into tears. Perhaps he had a bad dream at night. Or maybe, due to illness, he spent several days at home, so he refuses the garden. What's the matter here?

The first weeks of the child were attracted by the novelty, the joy of being with other children, the pride that he “goes to work” like an adult. And suddenly, unexpectedly, he begins to protest, cry, does not want to go to the garden. This behavior is most often observed in children who are too harshly left to themselves or have given him over to the care of strangers who take him and take him out of the garden. The baby begins to realize: visiting the kindergarten, he loses the constant presence of his mother, walks with her, etc.

Many children, who, in general, are happy with their life in the group, can hardly bear the very moment of parting with their mother. Try to do this - let the father accompany the child to the kindergarten. Talk to your caregiver about your difficulties. She can tell you in the evening how the child behaved after you left, whether the tears quickly dried up, whether he easily joined the game. Perhaps, as soon as the child appears in the group, she can give him some interesting business.

Adaptation problems can resume after the holidays, vacations, with a serious change in external circumstances. It is necessary to be flexible, in especially difficult situations, you can again shorten the time of the child's stay in kindergarten for some period or, by agreement with the educators, arrange a break in the middle of the week.

Try to talk to your kindergarten teacher regularly. She will surely tell you about the child that you do not know. In the garden, children often talk about their concerns.

Are parents ready to send their child to kindergarten

Not only children, but also parents go through the period of adaptation to the kindergarten. If after 2 weeks the child continues to cry before leaving for the kindergarten, perhaps he is not yet "ripe" for kindergarten, maybe he was given too early. Or maybe the parents are not yet "ripe" for parting with the baby and their worries make it difficult for the child to adapt. Therefore, it is important for adult family members to keep track of their feelings, to be aware of their nature.

A necessary condition for the successful course of this period is the rejection of the feeling of guilt. If you have the slightest hesitation, the child will feel them, and it will be even more difficult for him to part with you.

If you can manage your anxiety and trust the people who are with your child, the chances that he will feel comfortable in kindergarten will be much greater. After all, this is only the beginning of the formation of the child's adaptation mechanisms, which he will use when moving to another group in the event of a move, when entering school and in his adult life.

Trust yourself and the world. Give your child a message that the world is safe and interesting, and then your child will grow up healthy and happy.