We were so excited to see so many smiling faces greeting us on the first day of school. This can be such an exciting time for many of us, either joining the school community for the first time or transitioning to a new age level and a group of friends and teachers. This can also be a challenging transition for some, as many of our early learners have built a trust and comfort level with their teachers from last year. Additionally, several of our students have been away from the school setting for the summer and are reacclimating to our environment.
That being said, what can we all do to help make this transition as smooth as
– Little things from home can sometimes make our children feel more comfortable: a blanket, a stuffed animal, or for infants and toddlers, a scarf or shirt with mommy’s smell. Photographs also help. Many of our teachers have a family board with pictures to help bridge school and home.
– Establish Rituals and Routines. Young children thrive on routine and consistency, and developing these is key in making sure they feel safe in new environments. Developing a quick, simple way to say “good-bye” and reassuring your children that you will return will help separation go more smoothly.
– Be Positive. Our children are incredibly intuitive. They sense and feed off of our anxiety and hesitation. Present school as a safe place where your child will learn new things and make friends. Continue to bridge the home/school connection by talking with your child about their teachers and use our newsletters to show you are excited about what they are doing in school.
– Lastly, feel free to reach out to your child’s teachers or administrator about the day. We want both you and your children to have a great day after drop off, and if you need a little reassurance as to how the day is going, just give us a call or send a quick message.
Adapting to their new environment and overcoming separation anxiety takes time for some of us, both young and old. Worked through correctly, these can be great learning opportunities for our children and us.
At Strelitz International Academy, our Early Years program cultivates students for the day when they will be responsible, compassionate citizens and leaders. As the first official Primary Years IB Programme in Hampton Roads, SIA’s Early Years curriculum emphasizes the development of the whole child, including social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth. The IB® World School aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Each classroom incorporates SIA’s values of respect, community, repairing the world, love of learning into the daily routine and provides opportunities to talk about and practice these values. The student’s experience is designed with opportunities to develop independence and self-confidence. As children grow as learners in the Early Years Program, we work to instill a sense of joy and confidence in all they do. Teachers and students work together to develop learning activities that further develop readiness skills in a variety of content areas including language arts, math, science, and social studies.
To learn more about Strelitz International Academy and our Early Years Program, please call 757.424.4327.
Here’s to a great new year and more smile-filled days!
