Summer session has begun. We were excited to welcome several new families into the school. Moms, Dads, and children came in saying hi to familiar faces they knew from before and meeting new ones.  The block area took on new life as a group settled in with the trucks and blocks. The skeleton puzzle was a group effort and many tried it on for size. Rice pouring and water with food color were very popular.

The teachers could be heard introducing children to each other over and over again, with words, with name songs, with adding names to pictures and drawings. This simple act is so important. We have found that when children don’t know the other person’s name, they treat them differently. I am reminded of my early days of teaching when a group of new kids and I was at the playdough table. One child kept grabbing tools from another without even looking over; the other kid was unhappy.  I said,”This boy’s name is Jamie.” The grabbing kid looked at the other boy and and said, ” I didn’t know that; here are your toys.”

Helping children feel comfortable in a new setting is a multi-step process. We have parents stay the first morning and then determine how the separation plan will proceed the following days after we see how the child is faring. For many, it is a gradual phasing out of the parent over a few days, with parents increasingly removing themselves from the setting.But everyone is different, so  every plan is too. We look for  5 key factors in determining when a child is ready to say good bye.

1. Has the child developed a bond with one of the teachers?
2. Is the child able to ask for help from the teachers?
3. Can the child tell us when s/he needs to use the potty and be able to use it with limited help?
4. Is the child comfortable playing in the proximity to other children or with them?
5. Does the child know where his or her cubby is?

When it is time for the goodbye, we encourage parents and children to develop a goodbye routine. Some children already have one from being in daycare or with a sitter. It can be as simple as a hug and a kiss and the parent is gone. Or something a bit more elaborate. Some children like to start in the same place every day. The important thing is the child acknowledges the departure of the parent and knowingly lets go . We are right there by the child’s side.

Over the next few months, we will be welcoming new children to the school. Already our new children have brought fresh ideas and friendships. The school feels a bit new again to our returning students and to us when seen through new eyes. It is an exciting time. We look forward to our months ahead!