All Things CLASS

Good Afternoon,

I have a child who's just transitioned from a 2 year old class to the 3 year old class. Every morning the child comes in and the parent states how the child cries and doesn't want to come to school. In the 2 year old class there was structure but not as much as the 3 year old class has. I've explained to the parent that the child just needs to adjust, in which will take time.
We have even gone as far as splitting up the child's day, so that he may be in both classes. At this point I don't know what else to do to help make this child's transition easier. If there is any suggestions I'm all ears!! Thank you in advance!

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Britney Woodbury
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You are correct,  transitions take time, especially at holiday time when so many things may be scrambled: bed times, food, visitors, etc.

Were there any morning rituals in the toddler class that you could use for awhile in your classroom?  A favorite toy or activity?

Also, keep in mind that enough time to transition is different for adult and child.

Best wishes.  Keep showing the love!

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Susan Hinman Waldman
Practice Based Coach
Communities United Inc.
Lexington, MA
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Could you make that child a personal daily schedule to hold, have nearby, or see regularly?  That way they can see what is coming next and feel more in charge of their day as they help set up the schedule board and remove pictures and they are completed.  You could also make one for home that includes the car ride, arrival procedure, and entrance to the classroom.

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Suzette Babcock
Saluda NV
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Hi Britney, this is very common,transition is not easy specially for young kids take time to adjust an other class but some parents don’t realized and want to their kids adjust right away I used to work preschool and same situation handled every other week I suggested my director do two transitions same time doesn’t matter is one week or two week difference but kids know each other they can adjust easily can you try this method if you can. I am sure it’s work. Good luck.🙏
Lubna

Sent from my iPhone

Hello Ms. Britney😁

It sounds like you have a great way of communicating to the parent. Splitting the day is just heightening the anxiety the child is feeling. Is this child an early 3? Does the day ever get better? What is the real cause for the crying? Has the child made any connections with another child in the class? Does the child have a bond with you? In my school's program we try to identify exactly what is causing the anxious crying. Was the crying present in the 2 year old class? Knowing a bit more could help me understand more and maybe give you some resource links.

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SHANNON MORGAN
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Hello Britney, 
When we have children transition from another classroom we have a transition meeting between the teacher he had and the new one along with center director, and advocate to share what the child likes and dislikes to make the transition smooth as possible. We also ask if there is a certain material/toy that child liked to play when they arrived in the morning, we would ask the teacher from the other classroom to borrow it if we don't have that material/toy to help with the transition. We would also explain to parents that they may see child have a few rough days, we ask to give it time and to talk to them every night before bedtime about the new classroom and in the morning while getting child ready for school. We have child do transition visits between classrooms, we shorten the length of visits into 3 days the forth day is the child's full transition day, this gives the child time to get acquainted and adjusted with the new teachers and classmates in new environment. I hope you find this helpful!

Thelma Rhodes

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Thelma Rhodes
Austin TX
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Because transitions can be so hard on children we normally only move those ages 2 and up once a year.  We do a group move up in early June so the children are moving with the rest of their class.  We base the classes on the ones they will enter kindergarten with.  It's easier on them and the teacher.  Of course there are times we have to move a child in mid year but it's rare.

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Kathy Boyd
Wee Warriors Daycare & Preschool
FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2021 10:08
From: Thelma Rhodes
Subject: Transitioning

Hello Britney,
When we have children transition from another classroom we have a transition meeting between the teacher he had and the new one along with center director, and advocate to share what the child likes and dislikes to make the transition smooth as possible. We also ask if there is a certain material/toy that child liked to play when they arrived in the morning, we would ask the teacher from the other classroom to borrow it if we don't have that material/toy to help with the transition. We would also explain to parents that they may see child have a few rough days, we ask to give it time and to talk to them every night before bedtime about the new classroom and in the morning while getting child ready for school. We have child do transition visits between classrooms, we shorten the length of visits into 3 days the forth day is the child's full transition day, this gives the child time to get acquainted and adjusted with the new teachers and classmates in new environment. I hope you find this helpful!

Thelma Rhodes

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Thelma Rhodes
Austin TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 12/23/2021 12:31:00 PM
From: Kathy Void
Subject: RE: Transitioning

Because transitions can be so hard on children we normally only move those ages 2 and up once a year.  We do a group move up in early June so the children are moving with the rest of their class.  We base the classes on the ones they will enter kindergarten with.  It's easier on them and the teacher.  Of course there are times we have to move a child in mid year but it's rare.

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Kathy Boyd
Wee Warriors Daycare & Preschool
FL
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