Transitions

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Childcare Chatboard

Transitions

by Mandy

Dec 6, 2011

Has any one had a parent that you have gotten a really good parent teacher relationship and had to transition their child to another room. How did you deal with the parent that seemed very concerned that you will not be with them anymore?

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jal On 12/06/11, Mandy wrote: > Has any one had a parent that you have gotten a really > good parent teacher relationship and had to transition > their child to another room. How did you deal with the > parent that seemed very concerned that you will not be > with them anymore?

I'm lucky in that we follow a school-year schedule....See MoreOn 12/06/11, Mandy wrote: > Has any one had a parent that you have gotten a really > good parent teacher relationship and had to transition > their child to another room. How did you deal with the > parent that seemed very concerned that you will not be > with them anymore?

I'm lucky in that we follow a school-year schedule. My children stay with me from September through June. And, because the children are with me for 2 years, I tend to build very strong relationships with the families.

Our transitions most often occur at the end of a school year, and as several of the other children are transitioning together, this helps ease the families minds.

When I have seen a need to transition a child to another classroom mid-year, I have the child 'visit' their new room several times a week, for however long they wish to stay. We do this over the course of a month, and my classroom becomes more of a 'homebase' for the child to return to when they are ready.

When speaking to the parents, stress the benefits the child will be receiving from this move that they will not get in full in your classroom. This could be the readiness for more social interactions, more challenges academically, whatever.

Then, I make sure to tell the parents that the child....and THEY....are welcome to come back and visit us at anytime! I do suggest that they give the child at least 6 weeks to acclimate to the new classroom, to make and build some peer relations, and to just settle into the new routines.

I have found that the slow transition, along with the very heartfelt invitation to come back anytime (after the 6 weeks) to visit, makes not only the child, but also the parents feel more secure and less that I am 'kicking them out'.

What typically happens is that when the child comes back to visit with their parents, not only does the child realize how much s/he has grown in that time...the parents recognize the difference when they come back as well- and it is evident even within that 6 weeks time.

Just keep in mind that the 'change' and feelings that the child might be experiencing....nervous, apprehensive, unsure, unknowing, shy, whatever they are....the parents are feeling the same way, too! Find some way to reassure them that things will be fine, adjustments always are different...and let them know you will always welcome them back to say hello.......and that you would like them to do so!

I tend to have sibling come through my classroom regularly....so the bonds I have with families often carry through more and more years. (One family had 5 children about 2 to 2.5 years apart in ages....I had that family with me for about 10 years! The children...and sometimes just the parents - continue to come visit me....and two of their oldest have completed college!

Dec 15, 2011

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