Kid Tips: Movin' On Up--Transitioning to Kindergarten

Kid Tips:

Movin’ On Up: Transitioning to Kindergarten, with Tips for Easing Anxiety

As we near the end of another school year, many parents are concerned with helping their children prepare for the transition to kindergarten in the fall. For some children, the anxiety of entering kindergarten is matched by the anxiety of leaving the surroundings in which he/she has been nurtured and cared for, especially if it is a situation that has been a consistent one for the child for a long period.  Children form meaningful attachments with caregivers, teachers, and friends, and the awareness that those attachments will be disrupted can produce increased anxiety, even when it is mixed with excitement and anticipation about starting the adventure that is kindergarten.  Here are some tips to help make that transition as smooth as possible.

·       If your child is currently in preschool or center-based care, be sure to have a conference with the teacher to get a clear picture of your child’s developmental capabilities and needs.  Being ready for kindergarten isn’t just about knowing letters and numbers, but is also about social and emotional development.  You know your child better than anyone, but your child’s teacher or caregiver has particular insight regarding her/his social interactions and emotional maturity.   Children often behave differently when parents are not around, usually displaying more maturity, sometimes less—either way, the teacher/caregiver can give you a richer picture of your child’s behavior when independent of the family.

·       You can help your child with the separation anxiety by remembering that children at this age are developing an increasing level of emotional awareness, but still don’t usually have the emotional “vocabulary” to express those feelings.  It is very common for children in this situation to begin exhibiting regressive behaviors—temper tantrums, toileting accidents, increased “clinginess,” for example—that are all perfectly normal and can be seen as healthy attempts at releasing or dealing with the uncertainty of change and the sadness of separation.

·       It is important to empathize with your child’s anxiety, but also to remain consistent in terms of behavior management and expectations.  Your child may be testing you to make sure that, as so many things around her/him are changing, your presence and support are constant and dependable.  Extra hugging, talking, and playful interactions are reassuring, but increased leniency with unacceptable behaviors can actually create more anxiety.  It is important during this time that discipline continues to be firm, loving, and predictable.

·       One of the behaviors that sometimes baffles parents the most is when a child who has always eagerly left for daycare or preschool suddenly begins complaining that they “don’t like school” or “don’t want to go.”  This is often a response not to unhappiness with the school, but to the unhappiness about leaving a situation that is a positive, nurturing one.  Again, consistency is the key—keep attendance consistent, while talking with your child about the feelings he/she is experiencing.  If your child’s friends at daycare are not going to be attending the same kindergarten, consider the possibility of arranging play dates to help maintain those friendships that are important.

With compassion, reassurance, and consistency, your child’s transition to kindergarten can be an exciting and positive one for the entire family.