Welcome to our new blog series, ‘what to do when’. In this series we’ll be talking timely parenting challenges throughout the year, from the clocks changing through to fussy eating, homework and friendship troubles! At the time of writing, it’s early October - and in our homes (as we’re parents too) we’re being faced with a familiar challenge: nursery and school transitions. We’re past the stage of ‘back to school’ - instead, it’s the time of year where children realise that their new nursery room, new school or new class is here to stay. The honeymoon phase is over, and in comes the realisation that this transition is anything but transient. Whether this is leading to hometime meltdowns, calls home, tears or fears, we’re putting our top tips together for managing this phase.
Regular routine
When times are tumultuous and there are new routines in place, it’s really common for children to find the transition hard. While there’s not much you can do about what happens inside the classroom or nursery, it’s great to focus on providing regular stability in your own home space. So, wake ups, breakfast routines, after school activities and bedtime routines are best kept as standardised as reasonably possible to offer predictability alongside the new. This is especially challenging when younger or older siblings are involved, you have early wakers/late bedtimers on your hands, or if there are additional needs at play: so we’re sending solidarity your way - do your best - your best is enough!
Shared ‘hearts’
You may have seen this concept spread across social media, and we really do think it’s got some salt to it. If you have a little one struggling with separation at the door or gates, try this. Draw a heart on your hand and their’s, then ‘charge them up’ before you leave one another. If they feel sad throughout their day or miss you, they can ‘fill up’ by touching the heart. Some go to the extent of sewing in a heart label into clothing, but a simple drawing will also do! This option works best with slightly older children (we’d say 3 and up), so if you have a younger little one, we recommend leaving them with something from home that smells of you. A blanket, for example, could be taken into nursery (labelled with name clothes stamps of course) which has a familiar scent of lotion or perfume. Equally, you could simply wear this tucked into your clothing overnight so it gathers your natural scent (sometimes you just have to try everything!).
We hope you have found this useful. Please feel free to share this with friends and family or leave a comment below.
The Stamptastic Team
