Baby Blues: Young Children Need Back-To-School Support
The Malvern School offers parents of young children advice to help their kid's transition from the playground to the schoolyard.
MALVERN, Pa., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Most people, no matter how old they are, find transitions challenging, at best. Whether it's getting married, changing jobs or moving in to a new neighborhood, the stress of change can sometimes take its toll, both physically and emotionally.
This is especially true for young children who haven't developed the social and emotional skills to allow them to process even the smallest changes in their environment. As summer comes to an end, and the new school year begins, parents of young children can help them ease into their fall routine by taking the time to develop a manageable adjustment plan.
Cynthia Howard, RN, PhD, who specializes in stress management in Salisbury, Md., believes that children respond best to parental structure, and advises parents to recognize the early warning signs of stress.
"Young children generally live in the moment, so they don't often understand how to cope with changes in their daily routines, especially when they're headed back-to-school. Leaving the security of their homes and parents may cause a degree of separation anxiety," Howard said. "If parents notice any regressive behaviors such as temper tantrums, asking too many questions, or even over-eating, these may be warning signs that parents need to recognize," she added.
Howard recommends some simple ways parents can help their young children alleviate pre-school anxiety. "I often tell parents to start about two weeks before the new school year and get their kids on a regular routine. They can also ask them to recall happy memories of their last year in school, and talk to them about the positive things they can expect in the new year. Parents can also do more tactical things. They can hold the child in their arms and perform what I call 'attitude breathing,' where they take deep breaths in and out and talk about happy memories as they are breathing."
For Kristen Waterfield, president of The Malvern School in Glen Mills, Pa., and the mother of three young children, organization is the key to keeping them on track, especially when they're heading back-to-school.
"I've been an educator for my entire professional career, and I know what works best for young children as they leave the safety and comfort of home, and enter what they often perceive as a 'scary' environment," said Waterfield. "Organization is the first order of business for me, because it keeps the kids calm, and provides a methodical approach to all of my back-to-school initiatives. For example, my personal plan includes helping them accept change and embracing flexibility, talking to them about their happy memories of the prior school year, and scheduling trips to the store to buy their new clothes and school supplies. I start this process about three weeks or so before they actually head back to the classroom, and positively reinforce what I'm doing almost every day."
Waterfield added that she also advises parents at The Malvern School, which has 20 early childhood education programs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, to take the time to pre-plan their back-to-school strategy. "With young children especially, parents can make or break a child's success, especially in pre-school. With a well thought out transition plan, they can ensure their kids a calm and even enjoyable new school experience."
Diane M. Morgan M.S., who is responsible for all of The Malvern School's operations, incorporates adjustment activities as part of the school's curriculum. "Our teachers fully understand that the first few weeks of school can be stressful for our very young student base," she said.
"We know that the kids will experience varying degrees of separation anxiety, which is completely normal. So, as part of our curriculum, we begin all of our classes outlining what the kids can expect for the year, encourage them to talk about what they did over the summer, provide opportunities to get to know their classmates, and keep their minds busy through scheduled activities and knowing what to expect throughout the school day," Morgan added.
In addition, Morgan said parents should: not make any major life changes prior to school beginning; take their child to the new school prior to their first day; get them on a regular sleep schedule; add a family photo, special treat or other item the child will recognize in their lunch box or back-pack; and don't skimp on the extra hugs and kisses.
For more back-to-school tips, visit www.malvernschool.com or Dr. Howard's web site, www.transformyourself.com.
About The Malvern School: The Malvern School was founded in 1998 by Joseph A. Scandone and Kristen Waterfield; Scandone also founded the Goddard School. There are 20 Malvern Schools in the tri-state area with 10 more planned over the next three years. The Malvern School is the premier early childhood education program in the region, having received the coveted National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation for seven of its schools, signifying they have exceeded industry standards for early childhood education excellence. With more than 450 employees, and 2,000 students, The Malvern School's faculty is comprised of teachers who hold degrees only in early childhood education. In addition, the school adheres to a strict "Quality Standards Program," which focuses on the health and safety of students, and incorporates custom-designed specialty rooms and state-of-the-art play areas in all of its schools. The Malvern School has received numerous industry awards for its academic programs, student success rates, and overall education innovation.
SOURCE The Malvern School
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