The Emotional Transition Between Home and New Environment

The Emotional Transition Between Home and New Environment

Children love to explore, experiment and learn in a fun and secure environment. The new environment and new materials offer exciting opportunities, as well as changes to a child's life. Their exploration exceeds way beyond the adult's expectation and isn't limited to visuals and sounds as well as emotional.

Starting school is a huge step in any child’s life. The moment they leave home to settle in a new setting can be a huge emotional roller coaster for children and parents.

Early Years provisions and schools need to prepare a secure environment and guidelines for parents and children to get familiar with, as children go through different developmental stages. Predictable stages of development throughout infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool of course consist of wide variations, where there are certain periods of developmental “calm” and others of “turmoil,” when new milestones are being reached.  

It is important that children and parents are given opportunities to familiarise themselves with the school environment so that they can start building relationships with the key members of staff. Parents and carers need to have clear information about what will be happening in the transition process and how they can support their child. This has to be closely monitored to enable them achieve their full potential.

Practitioners should therefore ensure that there is good communication and information-sharing between themselves and parents prior to a child starting school.

As an experienced Early Years practitioner, I have closely monitored how these emotions played a big role between 4 main subjects; children, parents, new environment and new people. In order to develop their skills in all areas of learning, children need to be in a different setting to explore further. All children go through stage of transition, depending on child's developmental stage. We have to bear in mind that children are unique and they go through different pace. However, the common challenge of transition is parents' anxiety. According to NHS UK, "Anxiety is 'catching' and can be passed on to children", adding that, "Attitudes of over-anxious parents can severely affect children's behaviour". 

So here is the list of how to help your children transition smoothly:

1. Talk about the changes.

Communication is always the key to everything. No matter how young your child, talking is the way to prepare them for upcoming changes.

Tell them they're growing and they need to go to school to learn some more. Children are always proud to be called big.

2. Show them the place/ Visit the settings.

Children's development varies from one to another, however, most of the children are learning fast through visuals. Either showing them pictures of schools, pointing at similar places, and visiting the actual setting where they will start their fun journey with new friends, would be a great step to understanding change.

3. Encourage them to play with others.

I'm sure, at the end of the day, whether it's rainy or sunny, children love to run and play at the park. Let them play with other children as it will prepare them to socialise and build relationships in the new setting.

4. Remind them of golden rules.

Everyone has golden rules to follow. It is often associated with familiarity (e.g. routine) while they're learning from home, talk about this is what and how they do at school.

For Teachers, practitioners and educators, it's always best to share a small touch that reminds them of "home".

5. Show enthusiasm.

Children and parents bond is immeasurable. Children can feel what you feel, they like to observe and mimic what they see and hear. So, why not show excitement when you speak of school?

6. Reassure them.

There will be times of turmoil in the morning, whilst preparing on the way to school and dropping them off. Letting them know you're coming to pick them up and tell them the picture of what grown-ups day like compared to theirs, they will start to understand absence is all temporary.

7. Give them big cuddles and kisses.

Nothing is better than a nice big hug. It's one way of showing you love them. Smile when you leave and throw a bigger smile when you come and collect them.

8. Let the professionals do their job.

Separation is crucial, but children have their own ways to gradually adapt to change. With the aid of their teachers and key person who are well trained to deal with challenges through different stages of children's development, it enable them to support their development and bring your child achieve their full potential.

We hope everyone has survived the settling period of the school year.