When we decide to send our children to nursery school, doubts and worries often arise, especially during the first few days.
Will they settle in well? Will the staff understand what they need? Will they meet other children and make friends quickly?
In addition, sometimes children start doing things they didn’t do before and display different behaviours… this whole process, until the child feels safe and confident in their nursery, is what we call the “Adaptation Period.”
Starting nursery school represents a very important change in a child’s life. It means leaving their familiar world, where they have a defined role and move within a safe, known, and protected environment, and it also involves changes in their relationships.
There are many factors to consider, as well as the attitudes of adults, which can help promote a successful adaptation. It is important not to set strict timeframes, as each child experiences this process in their own way.
In the classroom, a child may cry, become upset, or even reject their teacher.
At home, they might show behaviours such as refusing to eat, experiencing night terrors, or not wanting to be apart from their parents even for a moment.
We should view these behaviours as temporary and completely normal during this period.
The best thing we can do as parents to help this process is to stay calm and appear confident, as the child will look to our emotions to reinforce their own.
During the first days of attending nursery, and especially throughout the first term, the child particularly needs understanding and support. We should help them along the way to gain confidence and build relationships with others. Gradually, they will adapt to the rhythms and routines of the nursery.
On behalf of the La Mar Salada Nursery School and its teachering staff:
- Allowing the child their own space, giving them the freedom to approach or distance themselves from the teacher as needed.
- Allowing a flexible schedule.
- Providing guidance to families, recognising that this is also a difficult time for parents.
- Allowing the first days to be for observation, providing more time for free play and initial social interactions with other children.
But how do we, as adults, help the child through this moment? What does the child need from us?
Some recommendations:
- When we leave the child at nursery, always say a brief goodbye, avoiding drawn-out farewells. This helps the child understand that we are saying goodbye for a little while and that we will come back to collect them.
- Allow the child to bring a familiar object during the first few days: a teddy, a blanket, or a favourite toy.
- Try to delay major changes in the child’s life (such as giving up the dummy or nappies, moving from the cot to a bed, or changing rooms) until a later time.
- Communicate with the school about anything that may be worrying us. Communication between family and school must always be very open, but especially during this period when the foundations of the relationship are being established, and when clarifying any doubts can greatly help in successfully navigating the process.”
- The adults around the child play an important role in helping them face new experiences. Parents’ confidence in the decision they have made and their trust in the chosen school are essential for conveying a sense of security to the child.
Separation and adaptation go hand in hand, both for the child and for the parents. The key to success lies in respecting each person’s individual pace, approaching the experience with calm and confidence.
The entire educational team at La Mar Salada puts all our care and professionalism into ensuring that this period is experienced calmly by both children and adults. We focus on each child individually, respecting their pace and helping to make the school a place where they can learn, share, make friends, and enjoy themselves.
The key to a smooth adaptation is to face this new stage with confidence, calmness, and respect.
