Adaptation in kindergarten: information for parents

Adaptation in kindergarten is the process of a child getting used to the new conditions of his life: the room, the daily routine, teachers and other children around. In kindergarten there are new requirements and rules that you also need to gradually get used to. Some children adapt very easily - they run into the group without tears. They play, have fun and don’t want to go home. Others just can’t tear themselves away from their mother. They cling to her, cry loudly and are afraid to enter the group. What kind of adaptation will be in kindergarten depends on the parents, teachers and the child himself.

Degree of child adaptation

There are three degrees of adaptation in kindergarten: easy, moderate and severe. Which of them will happen to a particular child depends on many factors: relationships in the family, the pedagogical skills of educators, and the characterological characteristics of the child himself.

Lightweight

Easy adaptation to kindergarten takes place in a short time: within 2-4 weeks the baby gets used to kindergarten, is not afraid to go there and happily goes to the group. This degree of adaptation can be judged by the following signs:

the baby calmly enters kindergarten and group, without crying or hysterics;
communicates happily with teachers, does not hide from them, is not afraid to look them in the eyes, can calmly tell them about his need at the moment;
successfully communicates with the guys from the group;
responds adequately to verbal encouragement or reprimand from teachers;
if she can already speak, she emotionally tells her parents about what happened in kindergarten today.

Average

The average adaptation of a child in kindergarten takes longer - up to one and a half months. At the same time, the baby cries or gets angry when he goes to kindergarten, does not always want to go to the group, but nevertheless joins the team and a new life, albeit slowly. This level of adaptation is indicated by the following signs:

the child does not go to kindergarten much and is often sick;
has a hard time parting with her mother, does not want to let her go, cries for some time after she leaves the kindergarten;
after a short time he calms down and begins to play with other children;
complies with the institution's regulations;
responds adequately to positive and negative statements from the teacher about his behavior and actions.

Heavy

Difficult adaptation in kindergarten is typical for children with high sensitivity, low levels of socialization, or increased aggressiveness. In this case, adaptation can last from a couple of months to several years; sometimes the baby does not adapt to the child care facility and parents have to take him to home education. This degree of adaptation is quite rare. Signs by which it can be identified:

lack of contact with teachers and peers for more than two months;
crying, stupor or aggression for a long time after the parents leave - more than an hour;
refusal to accept the kindergarten routine: does not eat, does not sleep, does not participate in developmental and educational activities, does not play with children;
tears, fear or aggression in response to the words of teachers.

Ways to overcome difficult adaptation include timely contact with a psychologist, constant contact with the child and teachers, and establishing a trusting relationship with the baby. Sometimes it is useful to take a break from visiting a preschool educational institution for 1-2 months.

Depending on the child’s degree of adaptation to kindergarten, parents and teachers need to build their own ways of interacting with the baby: one just needs to be supported, another needs to be encouraged, and another needs to be pitied. If adults manage to find a suitable behavior strategy, then soon the child’s psychological and physical adaptation to kindergarten will end, and he will go there more calmly.

How parents can help their child during the adaptation period

Parental help can be called fundamental in adaptation.

General recommendations:

Make sure your child acquires simple skills (the ability to use a spoon, ask to go potty, get dressed, communicate with others, use a handkerchief, express requests in words or gestures).
Don't discuss your experiences in front of your child.
Dress your baby according to the season. Shoes and clothing should not create difficulties for him. Choose shoes not with laces, but with Velcro, and clothes with snaps, not buttons.
Study the kindergarten routine in advance. Follow it every day (on weekends too).
Too frequent visits to public organizations (performances, clubs) in combination with many intellectual activities at home can overload the baby’s nervous system.
Often discuss with your preschooler how useful kindergarten is, and how important it is for him to go there (put dolls to bed, water flowers, play with soft toys).
Regularly check the contents of your baby’s pockets to make sure there are no piercing, small or sharp objects in them.
When meeting with the teacher, tell him about the baby’s mood and health. Be interested in how he behaves in kindergarten.
Do not give your child too expensive toys, and if this happens and the baby does not keep track of the thing, do not be too strict with him.
Plan your own schedule so that in the first month of being in kindergarten, the preschooler is not there until the end of the day, and can quickly find himself in familiar home conditions.
Teach your son or daughter to communicate with other people. Go on a visit or visit crowded playgrounds more often.
Only healthy children are allowed to attend kindergarten. Remember about the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections.

If you have come to the conclusion that your child feels the need for contact with familiar adults and is not afraid of strangers, then this is a good sign. If he strives for independence, willingly engages in games, has some self-service skills, is friendly and open, then he is probably ready for kindergarten.

The main mistakes of parents

Many parents make mistakes that interfere with their adaptation to kindergarten. So, let's look at the most common misconceptions:

“The sooner you send your child to a nursery (a year or two), the sooner he adapts

If possible, it is better to abandon the nursery unless there is an urgent need for it. For children under three years of age (some longer), it is important to feel connected to their family and preferably spend most of the day in their home. During this period, his emotional connection with his mother and father is especially strong; it builds self-confidence in the child and provides a sense of security. Also, many physiological and psychological needs can only be “closed” by a mother or father. It has been noticed that children who were at an early age not in a nursery, but with their mother, are more emotionally stable.

Experts involved in preschool development have come to the conclusion that in recent years, preschoolers have often experienced developmental difficulties, so at an early age it is better to be under the supervision and care of their mother. This does not exclude joint attendance at play sessions for early development, which will be the first step towards socialization.

“A three-year-old child can stay in kindergarten all day.”

Kindergartens mainly accept children from the age of three. However, not every 3-year-old preschooler has such readiness, especially when it comes to staying full-time. Some people manage to adapt at three years old, others at four, and still others at five cannot easily tolerate separation from mom or dad. An adapted child goes to kindergarten with desire and says goodbye to his mother without crying or suffering.

Girls manage to get used to new people and routines faster, and this is easier for them at 3-4 years old than for boys, who adapt much more slowly. Boys are more emotionally attached to their parents and have a harder time being separated, even for a few hours. Focus on the baby’s condition and analyze it.

“You need to go to kindergarten in the fall”

More often, children are brought to kindergarten in September, but a more favorable time for adaptation is the end of spring and summer. During this period, the cognitive cycle usually ends, children walk more and do creative work. Daylight hours are becoming longer, brighter and warmer. Waking up in the morning is easier.

Autumn can hardly be called a good time for adaptation. At first, it is important for the baby to observe the slowness of the processes in order to be able to look around and get used to it. It is easier to do this in the summer, when there are fewer children in the kindergarten, and teachers have finished with the main educational programs and devote more time to role-playing games.

Let us note other difficulties that appear in the spring:

The baby gets tired faster and finds it more difficult to concentrate.
There is a decrease in emotional background due to lack of sunlight, gloomy weather, and early sunset.

“In a week you can get used to kindergarten”

For some children this is possible, but not for all. During the first month, it is advisable not to leave the baby all day. One to two weeks is an adjustment period for an emotionally stable child of 5-6 years old or for someone who has already attended kindergarten. Girls manage to get used to it faster, boys usually need at least a month. As already mentioned, for the first week it is advisable for the baby to spend time in the garden before lunch, then until afternoon tea, and only after a month try a full stay.

It happens that the child immediately stays for a full day, without expressing any special signs of anxiety or discomfort, but after 1-2 months mental overstrain begins to appear (obsessive movements, tics, enuresis, loss of appetite, viral diseases). The described factors indicate a high workload that was beyond the strength of a preschooler.

Types of adaptation of children

Types of adaptation in kindergarten also vary depending on what behavior strategy the child chooses. Some cry for a long time at first, and after a couple of weeks they happily go to the group, others at first enthusiastically join in the activities and games, and after a while they just can’t let their mother leave the locker room. What kind of adaptation a particular baby will have depends on his individual characteristics.

Active

Adaptation to kindergarten of this type is most common. In the first two or three weeks, the child feels anxious: he worries when he goes to kindergarten, cries when parting with his parents, and is sad that tomorrow he needs to go to the children again. But soon there are fewer tears, the baby begins to feel safe, and more and more confidently makes contact with teachers and children.

Passive

This adaptation of a child to kindergarten often goes unnoticed by parents. The fact is that the baby goes to kindergarten with practically no problems: he doesn’t throw tantrums, doesn’t cry in the locker room, doesn’t cling to his mother. But things are changing for him that, it would seem, do not apply to kindergarten: sleep and appetite are deteriorating, fatigue increases, and moodiness in the evenings. These symptoms disappear after a few weeks and the child’s condition improves.

Postponed

Adaptation of a child to this type of kindergarten usually greatly disappoints parents. In the first 2-3 weeks, the baby seems to be successfully going to kindergarten: he does not shed tears, does not refuse sleep or food, and has excellent contact with participants in the educational process. But one day the day comes when the child behaves the way children with active adaptation behaved in the initial stages: he cries, does not let go of his mother, does not want to go to kindergarten, does not want to communicate with teachers and play with children. The further process usually takes place according to the type of active adaptation of children to kindergarten.

Failed

This type suggests that the child was never able to get used to it, or the period of adaptation in kindergarten dragged on for years. The child does not calm down with teachers and children after his parents leave, does not comply with the institution’s regime, does not participate in games and activities, and refuses to eat and sleep in kindergarten. This state most often spills over into school: a first-grader has a very difficult time getting used to a new role.

The child’s future life depends on how adaptation went in kindergarten. This determines how he will establish contacts, interact with people, whether he will be independent, self-confident, or anxious, lacking initiative.

Reaction

According to statistics, only 1% of children, when entering kindergarten, behave as if nothing has changed in their lives. Everyone else has certain reactions depending on which area is their weak link. There are different types of adaptation, and each of them has to be dealt with.

Physiological

Adaptation of a small organism to changed conditions: a new daily routine (which absolutely cannot be violated), different food, infectious attacks on the immune system (someone came with a runny nose - the next day the whole group fell ill). Therefore, during the adaptation period, reactions such as:

sleep disorders;
decreased appetite and, accordingly, weight loss;
susceptibility to infections, weakened immunity (gets sick almost every week);
exacerbation of chronic diseases, if any;
For some, their body temperature (even in the absence of viruses and infections) and blood pressure begin to fluctuate, and their heart rate increases.

To reduce stress in the body, parents should: 2-3 months before kindergarten, find out the daily routine and menu in the group, and repeat them at home as much as possible. Arrange breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack at the same time, put them down for a nap and wake them up at a certain moment. Porridge, soups, compotes - you need to get used to all this in advance, otherwise whims about food will infuriate everyone around you.

You also need to take time to strengthen your immune system. Contact your local pediatrician. Now there are many herbal, vitamin and interferon preparations developed specifically for children 2-3 years old.

Psychological

The most difficult thing is psychological adaptation. The child doesn’t really understand why he needs to go to kindergarten every morning and say goodbye to his mother. It seems to most that they stopped loving them and simply gave them away, since mom and dad no longer need them. Against the background of such a disorder, a phobia begins that they will not be picked up in the evening, they will not come for them and they will be left alone. As a result, all these experiences can result in reactions such as:

hysteria, nervousness, irritability, moodiness;
tearfulness - they can cry even for no reason, not being able to explain their condition);
aggressiveness (either towards everyone, or only towards parents);
apathy, indifference, lack of initiative, lethargy, or vice versa - excessive excitement;
stubbornness;
constantly in a bad mood.

In such cases, there is only one prescription for medicine - more attention and care + explanatory conversations about why the kindergarten even exists and why it is so necessary to go to it every day.

Social

For some children, this type of adaptation even acts as an assistant to some extent. If they are active and sociable, they forget themselves when playing with others and do not feel lonely and abandoned. But the majority still get lost in such a stream of kids. What consequences should you be prepared for:

they refuse to go to kindergarten because “Maryivanna is evil, and Vasya takes away his toys”;
adopting deviant behavior patterns from others (they start biting, spitting, calling names) and bad words;
increased sense of ownership and greed, even if you were kind before;
formation of complexes, low self-esteem;
withdrawal into oneself, the appearance of autistic traits.

In this case, all efforts should be devoted to developing communication skills. Perhaps sign up for several sessions with a psychotherapist. Group and family trainings work real miracles in this regard.

Cognitive

In kindergarten, the child will have developmental activities that he may not be able to cope with. The reasons are very different: low IQ, physical defects, lack of understanding of the requirements, lack of necessary skills and much more. As a result, you can’t do the most basic things: draw a sun, make a flower, learn a poem. Due to such failures, reactions can be quite disastrous:

regression of skills acquired earlier: a child who speaks clearly enough, knows how to use a spoon and dress himself, go to the potty, refuses to reproduce such actions;
decreased cognitive interest: refuses to play, study, do something, explaining that he simply “doesn’t want to.”

If it was cognitive adaptation that caused the difficulties, parents should not let such reactions take their course. You need to talk to a teacher or psychologist. Find out the reasons why this happens. Work to eliminate identified factors and stimulate interest in classes. If you start these reactions at this stage, then at school a lot of problems with mastering educational material will arise.

With the world on a thread. Spain. In Spanish kindergartens, children are accepted starting from the age of 3. Everyone who is already 6 years old should go to the last, senior group, as this is considered a compulsory preparatory stage for primary school. If someone misses this “zero” grade, parents are held accountable.

Factors influencing a child's adaptation

An analysis of a child’s adaptation to kindergarten conditions shows that it depends on several factors at once. The more prosperous each of them is, the faster and easier the baby will get used to the new conditions.

Child's age

Adaptation to kindergarten for young children occurs in different ways:

At the age of one, the baby is very strongly attached to his mother, is not independent, and sometimes does not even know how to walk. These babies endure separation very hard; they cannot calm down for a long time after their mother leaves. They have an insufficiently developed immune system, so they get sick even more often than older children.
Adaptation to kindergarten at 2 years of age is usually more successful. The child is already more independent, the world around him is gradually becoming more interesting for him than his mother. Therefore, most often the baby quickly gets used to it, gets involved in the routine and interacts with the teachers.
Adaptation to kindergarten at 3 years old may vary depending on whether the child has already experienced the main crisis of this age. If this period has already passed or has not yet begun, then adaptation occurs easily and quickly: the baby is interested in the world around him, the desire to interact with peers is gradually formed, and he has already become sufficiently separated from his mother. If you bring a child to an institution during a crisis, then adaptation to kindergarten at 3 years old may be delayed, since the stress associated with entering kindergarten is superimposed on the internal negative state.

Health status

How adaptation goes in kindergarten also depends on whether the baby is healthy. If a child has any somatic diseases when entering the group, then it will be more difficult for him to get used to it: in addition to the stress from an unfamiliar environment, he experiences physical discomfort.

A child’s adaptation in kindergarten will be difficult if he has mental or neurological disorders - for example, he cannot tolerate loud sounds or is terrified of contact with strangers. If the baby has any chronic diseases or developmental features, then it is better to immediately inform the teachers about this so that they can create suitable conditions for him.

Degree of psychological development

If the degree of psychological development is too low or too high, the child’s adaptation in kindergarten may have its own characteristics. In the first case, the baby will not keep up with the kindergarten curriculum and will have difficulties with communication and interactions. For children with serious psychological problems, the institution usually draws up an adapted educational program taking into account its characteristics.

Gifted children are often bored with their peers, they cannot find a common language with them, and they are not interested in interacting with each other. Therefore, children with a very high level of mental development have a late adaptation to kindergarten; they take a long time to adapt to children who are different from them.

Level of socialization

How long it takes for a child to adapt to kindergarten, as well as what type it will be, depends on the level of socialization. If, before entering the institution, the child communicated very little with other children and adults, did not stay with anyone except mom and dad, and did not visit playgrounds, then it will be more difficult for him to get used to kindergarten. A large number of other children around, a lack of attention from adults in kindergarten can lead him to a state of stress.

When a child comes to kindergarten who has experience interacting with any children, easily makes contact with them and knows how to negotiate at least on the simplest level, then his adaptation to the kindergarten will most likely happen quickly and easily.

Family composition

The adaptation of a young child to kindergarten sometimes depends on who the child lives with. It is usually the most difficult for those children who are the only child in the family or live with one parent: they have a very strong psychological connection, it is very difficult for the baby to be alone in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by strangers.

Children living in large families, where they are accustomed to staying with different adults, interacting with brothers and sisters, will most likely go to kindergarten without serious adaptation problems. But it also happens differently: an overly active child from a small family gets tired of loneliness and happily runs to kindergarten, and a child who lacks attention in a large family has a harder time getting used to a large group of children.

Child's temperament

Depending on the type of nervous activity, children’s adaptation to kindergarten conditions will also occur differently. Little sanguine children quickly get used to the institution, their peers and teachers, they make good contact, and get involved in activities. It may be more difficult for choleric people: they are explosive, can often conflict, and do not get along with all the guys. At the same time, they are easy-going and also get used to new conditions quite quickly. A phlegmatic person may have two options: either he is very accustomed to home and finds it difficult to adapt, or he indifferently goes to kindergarten, not paying much attention to the changes in his life. A severe degree of adaptation to kindergarten is most often found among melancholic people: they take everything to heart, they are easily offended and upset.

Family atmosphere

If a child goes to kindergarten from a prosperous family in which he feels needed and loved, then his adaptation is easier. He quickly understands that his parents are not leaving forever, and they will definitely take him away, that they will protect him from any adversity and support him in case of failures.

A child living in a family in which they often quarrel, do not notice him, do not listen to him and to each other, and constantly criticize and scold, will find it more difficult to get used to new conditions. On the one hand, due to low self-esteem, he will worry that his parents, who are so bad, may leave him here forever. On the other hand, he will be afraid of criticism in kindergarten, react inadequately to comments and experience difficulties in interactions.

Stages of child adaptation to kindergarten

There are three stages in a child’s adaptation to kindergarten:

Spicy. The baby is in constant tension, feels anxious, cries, is capricious, and sometimes even throws real tantrums.
Moderate. The tension gradually weakens, the child begins to react more calmly to parting with his parents, and calms down faster after they leave. Appetite and sleep are gradually improving.
The compensated stage is characterized by stabilization of the baby’s condition. He joins in communication with peers and teachers, begins to actively participate in games and successfully learn new things within the walls of the institution.

Useful skills for a kindergartener

How to make it easier for a child to adapt to kindergarten? One of the most important points is independence in as many areas of his life as possible. The more the baby can do, the easier it will be in the garden for both him and the teachers.

Dress and undress independently, at least partially. If a child is taught to do this with minimal help, then he will not have to sit and wait until he is changed, no one will scold him for lack of independence, he will learn to take responsibility for his things.
Eat on your own. The child must master the ability to hold a spoon and bring food to his mouth before he goes to kindergarten. Otherwise, he risks remaining hungry throughout the day or he will have to wait until his turn comes and he is fed.
Refusal of diapers. It’s good if, before entering kindergarten, the baby can use some word to inform adults about his need to go to the toilet. In this case, he will have a minimum of wet pants in his locker when his parents arrive.
Interact with children and adults. Don’t be afraid of anyone, don’t offend anyone, be able to negotiate on a simple level. Communication in kindergarten is inevitable, and in the absence of skills, serious problems with communication and adaptation arise.
There are different foods. It is difficult for those children who are accustomed to eating only pureed food or semi-finished products to get used to kindergarten food.

Recommendations for parents on how to make separation from their baby easier

Information for parents about adaptation to kindergarten is often located on stands in the locker room and issued in the form of reminders and booklets. It will be good if parents prepare and set up their child for new living conditions long before he appears on the threshold of the group.

Necessary actions

Come up with your own farewell ritual with your baby, which will instill in him confidence that his mother will definitely return. This can be any simple action: the phrase “I love you,” a kiss on the nose, or a firm handshake. Always. When leaving the baby with one of the other adults, perform the same action so that the child remembers it. By saying goodbye in this way, the child will more easily part with his mother in the preschool locker room.
About six months before going to kindergarten, begin to involve other adults in communicating with the child, so that he has experience of parting with his mother and interacting with other adults. You can start with them communicating in the presence of mom, and then start being away for longer and longer periods of time.
Gradually leave the baby alone in the room while the mother is out of sight. Sometimes it’s worth inviting him to play on his own, without the participation of adults - this skill will also be needed in kindergarten.
Try to form a positive self-esteem and ideas about yourself for the baby: tell him how smart, independent, cheerful and sociable he is. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid statements that the child is unsociable, capricious or angry.

Unnecessary actions

Never leave your child when he is distracted. In this situation, he is very scared that his mother has disappeared to God knows where. Next time he will try with all his might not to let his mother leave him even one step.
Do not try to leave the child alone at home, even going to the store located in the neighboring house. Firstly, this will increase the baby’s anxiety level, and secondly, in just a few minutes he can find himself in danger in his own apartment.
There is no need to buy your child something tasty or toys every time after a separation: if he develops an understanding that something material awaits him after the separation, such purchases will have to be made every day when the child goes to kindergarten.

general information

Adaptation is getting used to new conditions of existence. This is exactly what happens to a child when he is literally torn out of his home and cozy environment and begins to be taken to kindergarten. It feels (from his point of view) the same as if a person were on another planet. Stress is caused by literally everything:

absence of close people nearby (especially mothers);
the need to maintain a new daily routine: eating strictly according to the clock, and you can no longer ask mom for Barney Bear or FrutoNyanya whenever you want;
the presence of a large number of screaming, noisy, fighting children nearby, with whom for some reason you need to share toys and follow their rules of play;
the lack of that layer of attention that was given to him before: after all, the teacher aunt needs to keep an eye on everyone at once;
new rules that require strict implementation: put away toys, wash your hands, don’t make noise while sleeping, walk in pairs, etc.

Just like that, literally in an instant, life changes radically. And it is impossible to get used to this in an instant. Therefore, adaptation to kindergarten is a long and multi-stage process. It will require enormous patience from the parents and considerable effort on the part of the child. To reduce stress and help him overcome this difficult period as quickly as possible, you should think about this issue long before he crosses the threshold of the group.

With the world on a thread. Great Britain. In English kindergartens you are allowed to bring home-cooked food and not sleep during the day. A cold, runny nose and even low temperature are not a hindrance to visiting.

Tips from Komarovsky for parents on how to adapt their child to kindergarten

A famous doctor also speaks about the adaptation of a young child in kindergarten. Evgeniy Olegovich believes that successful adaptation to a preschool educational institution is one of the conditions for the harmonious development of a child. He gives the following advice to parents regarding their child's adaptation to kindergarten:

Do not go to work on the same day that your child goes to kindergarten for the first time. Komarovsky believes that adaptation in kindergarten will be better if the mother has a few weeks left to sit with the baby for a few days if he is unwell, without creating problems for himself at work.
Getting used to kindergarten is better in winter and summer; during off-season periods there is a higher probability of going on sick leave, going to kindergarten for only a few days. In this case, after the illness, adaptation in kindergarten, according to Komarovsky, will begin anew.
It is mandatory to prepare the immune system for encounters with new viruses and bacteria: harden yourself, eat fresh fruits and vegetables to fortify the body, walk more often and longer.
According to Komarovsky’s advice, adaptation in kindergarten will be easier if at its initial stages you lower the level of demands on the baby: allow him a little more than usual, be more lenient towards his whims and requests.

Tips for parents

Firstly, there are separate recommendations from a psychologist for parents on how to prepare for kindergarten in 3-4 months so that adaptation is successful:

Tell your child in advance that soon he will have to go to kindergarten every day, that this is his “job” - just like mom and dad. And this cannot be changed.
Mom should gradually move away: leave him alone in the room more often, teach him to occupy himself, play with one of the relatives.
Teach basic communication skills: sharing toys, smiling, not biting or fighting, and not taking what belongs to others.
Gradually expand his social circle: introduce him to old relatives, neighbors, family friends, and peers.

During the preparatory period you cannot:

for parents to run away secretly, leaving the child with relatives or friends: teach him to say goodbye normally, so that he reacts adequately to the fact that you have to part for some time;
reward for each fulfilled requirement with sweets or fulfillment of wishes (otherwise he will expect the same from the teacher);
leaving alone in the apartment;
show your fears and worries about the upcoming separation.

Secondly, every self-respecting kindergarten makes sure that the child adapts as quickly as possible. Therefore, in groups, teachers or the head have a memo - information for parents on how they can speed up this process:

Go to the kindergarten in advance, meet the head, teachers and nannies, find out the daily routine, see the conditions of stay, food.
A mother should not go to work on the same day that the baby goes to kindergarten. In the first days you need to pick him up early. You need to be ready to snap at any moment, since they can call with a request to take him home due to illness at 10.00 in the morning.
The most optimal time for adaptation is summer or winter, but not the off-season.
Don’t be late in the morning, pick up on time in the evening, follow the house rules, put a change of clothes in the locker.
If the mother is unable to cope with her emotions in the morning and thereby upsets the baby, let a more restrained and strict father take him to kindergarten.
Warn the teacher in the morning about ailments, bad mood, or stress suffered the day before.
When picking up your child, ask the teacher how he behaved and whether there are any problems. Perhaps some explanatory conversations need to be held at home.
Do not attend kindergarten when sick.

During the adaptation period, parents are strongly recommended to:

create a favorable atmosphere at home, eliminate family quarrels and scandals;
do not raise your voice, do not punish too harshly, be more lenient towards mistakes;
pay enough attention, spend as much time as possible;
on weekends, holidays and during sick leave, adhere to the daycare routine;
increase nutritional fortification: give more fruits and children’s mineral and vitamin complexes to maintain immunity;
never speak badly about his peers, classmates, teachers, nannies and kindergarten as a whole;
avoid increased emotional stress that stimulates the already excited children's nervous system;
never compare with other children, setting them as an example;
Talk to your child every day about how the day went.

Experts also name special conditions for a child’s successful adaptation to kindergarten:

a sufficient level of psychological and social preparation of the child for kindergarten;
no health problems;
compliance with a unified system of education in the family and in kindergarten;
favorable microclimate;
individual approach;
psychological readiness of parents;
close contact between the teacher and parents;
gentle conditions for staying in kindergarten during adaptation (staying part-time, not eating the porridge completely, not sleeping, but just lying quietly in the crib);
permission to take your favorite toy with you.

Yes, parents will have to work hard for the adaptation to be successful. But if everything is done correctly, as psychologists and teachers advise, subsequently there will be no problems with visiting.

With the world on a thread. USA. Each American kindergarten has its own narrow focus - it is musical, artistic, sports, etc. Classes there are reminiscent of senior specialized classes at school.

What to do if adaptation to kindergarten has already begun

The rules for a child’s adaptation to kindergarten, if he has already started going there, should also be followed so that the adaptation is as traumatic as possible for the baby. It is better to draw up a plan for a child’s adaptation to kindergarten in advance, after discussing it with teachers and, if necessary, with a psychologist.

Firstly, you cannot bring your baby to kindergarten for the whole day at once. It is better if the habituation begins with joint walks: during them, the baby will have time to get to know the teacher and the children on neutral territory, being next to his mother. Having realized that the teacher is a safe person familiar to the mother, the baby will go to his group more easily. When you go to a group, you need to start with a two-hour stay.

Gradually, you can increase the time, but do not force events. This applies to adaptation to kindergarten at any age - both 2 and 4 years old. Secondly, it is important to show sincere interest in what the baby did in kindergarten, how his day went. Even if the baby is 2 years old, the child’s adaptation to kindergarten will be easier if he sees that his mother is really involved in his new life.

Thirdly, regularly maintain contact with teachers so that you can easily understand how adaptation is going in kindergarten. They keep special development maps that show the progress of addiction.

Fourthly, especially for those children who have problems adapting to kindergarten, it is worth limiting strong emotional experiences, both negative and positive, for the period of adaptation.

Parents also have to adapt to kindergarten: parting with a baby who has only been at home for a long time, containing his emotions, worrying about the child’s condition. The calmer mothers and fathers behave and feel, the sooner the baby will feel safe within the preschool walls.

How to help your child adapt to kindergarten?

Most adults are worried about leaving their child in kindergarten. This is quite normal, since the baby is there alone among unfamiliar adults and equally confused peers.

But every parent wants to help their child easily overcome such a difficult period! How to do it? Teachers and psychologists give the following recommendations:

Parents' anxiety increases the baby's fears, so try to be calm and balanced, surrounding your child with a sense of security.
Talk to your child about kindergarten. This is good to do at the preparatory stage of adaptation: arouse his interest, tell him how many children there are and how much fun they have, what games he can play with them.
While walking, pass by a kindergarten, draw your child’s attention to the bright playgrounds and children frolicking there, making him want to join. Try to walk more often in any weather, let your child get used to the fact that you will go to preschool in both snow and rain. The purpose of conversations and walks around the kindergarten is to create a positive image, an understanding of how fun, calm and safe it is, even in the absence of parents.
Talk through your baby's daily routine: breakfast, games, walk, lunch, sleep, dinner, and so on. Let him know at what point you will come for him today, so that the child is calm and knows that after dinner he will see his mother again. And be sure to come at the specified time.
Together with your child, come up with a farewell ritual. It can be anything: a kiss, a handshake, clapping your hands, tickling or funny sounds. It is important to adhere to this ritual before parting in the garden and outside it. This will give the baby a feeling of security.
If the kindergarten rules allow, allow your child to take his favorite toy with him. In the absence of parents, it will give peace and remind you of home, where it is so warm and cozy.
If it is difficult for a child to part with his mother, then the father or another family member can take him to kindergarten.
During the adaptation period, try not to start something new and generally change your usual way of life (for example, travel, moving, long business trips for parents, divorce) so that the child does not have reasons for additional stress.
Read books in which the main characters started attending kindergarten. Publications with such stories can be easily found in any bookstore. Create different situations with your baby’s favorite toys: “Tim the Rabbit with the children on a walk”, “Nina the Horse sleeps in a quiet hour” and so on. Let these stories become familiar and understandable to the child.

Erroneous actions to adapt a child to kindergarten: a reminder to parents

Sometimes mothers and fathers, trying to help their baby, make mistakes that make adaptation to kindergarten difficult. What should you not do during this difficult period?

Compare your child with others, especially out loud. All children have different levels of adaptation to kindergarten. Some calmly part with their parents and play, others cry, not wanting to let them go. Both options are normal, so there is no point in comparing. This can only cause offense to the child.
Deceive. According to the recommendations of psychologists, during the period of adaptation to kindergarten, you should not tell the child, when saying goodbye, that mom is only going to the store for 5 minutes, and will return if you plan to leave him for a longer time. In this case, the parents undermine the child’s trust; he feels betrayed.
Punish in kindergarten by leaving them there for a longer time for any offense. In this case, love for kindergarten will only weaken. Instructions for parents on adaptation usually advise, on the contrary, to say only good things about the institution and convince the child that only the most wonderful children go there.
Bribe with material objects: toys or something tasty for the baby to stay in the garden. There is a risk that in the future the child will blackmail his parents, demanding reinforcement from them every day.

Personal practice with children adapting to kindergarten

Arseny came to kindergarten at the age of three and a half years. He was very attached to his mother, screamed loudly upon arrival at kindergarten, lay on the floor and refused to get up - this was the case from the first day. A few days after the first visit, my mother made the main mistake: she entered the group with him and began to play with him. When he was distracted, she quickly ran away from the kindergarten. Realizing that his mother was missing, Arseny began to become hysterical: the teachers could not calm him down, he threw toys at the children, at the teachers, screamed, and beat the floor with his hands and feet. The teachers had to turn to a full-time psychologist. Seeing a new person in the group, the kid froze. Taking advantage of the moment, we managed to get him to talk. He answered simple questions: what is his name, which of his toys does he like, what does he like to do. The boy was very tense physically and psychologically; it was clear that it was difficult for him to be in the group. Therefore, the psychologist took him to his office and tried to relieve emotional stress with the help of games in the sand, modeling and drawing. Additionally, consultations were held with teachers and the mother. The child attended classes for 3 months, during which the psychologist first relieved emotional stress and then gradually worked to adapt it to the group.
There was a three-year-old girl, Katya, with a dysfunctional family situation: her mother gave birth to her at the age of 17, and after that, leaving the baby with her grandmother, she left for another city. Katya saw her no more than once every six months. In addition to Katya, the grandmother was in the care of the grandfather without both legs. The woman tried her best for her granddaughter. She treated her with love, but the girl apparently did not have enough attention. From the first day she went to kindergarten very calmly: she didn’t cry, she immediately ran to play with the kids and toys, and when her grandmother came for her 2 hours later, she didn’t want to leave. The next day, the baby voluntarily stayed for an afternoon nap. A couple of weeks later, for several days, she was cranky when she arrived at kindergarten, but quickly calmed down and, ultimately, adapted well.

Forms of adaptation to kindergarten depend on many factors: the condition and personal characteristics of the child, family situation, level of socialization and much more. Parents can help the baby by teaching him independence in advance and not rushing things in the process of getting used to it. If you listen to teachers and other preschool teachers, and also listen to your child, then his adaptation will be easy and without much stress.

What should a teacher do?

Many educators are faced with a situation where a new child cries a lot and refuses to go for walks or eat. It is very important to avoid extremes. There was a case when a three-year-old girl attending a private kindergarten sat all the time on the sofa, which served as a kind of safe zone for her, and cried. The teacher, trying to calm the child, began to spend most of his time with him. As a result, the girl followed the teacher, still refusing to play and engage in activities with her peers.

Psychologists recommend gradually including a new student in the game. If the baby is crying, you can invite him to go to the window and “look out” for his mother on the street. You can ask your baby simple questions about mom: what kind of hair she has, what kind of eyes she has, what color her clothes are. Gradually you need to switch the child’s attention to yourself: “What kind of hair do I have?” and on other children.

You cannot force a child to play, sleep or eat. But you can’t “forget” about him, hoping that he will “cry and calm down.”