The transition from the home environment to a nursery can be challenging for both parents and children. However, with a handy guide and support from parents and qualified teachers, children can not only settle in quickly into their new home away from home but also thoroughly enjoy the new learning environment and experience.
A successful transition begins at home with a handy guide
Parents need to start preparing their children in advance to embrace this new beginning in their learning journey. From researching nurseries in Dubai to opting for the best nursery in Dubai or selecting one nearby, each child is unique, and parents have to be diligent to ensure they pick the right nursery for their child. There are excellent nurseries in JLT (Jumeirah Lakes Towers) and in Dubai Marina, offering the best learning environment for a growing child. Therefore, opt for one that fits in with your vision for your child’s academic future. Moreover, the next step is to prepare your child to adapt to this change.
How to prepare your child for nursery
- Read stories Familiarising your child with popular story books and nursery rhymes at home will help them to settle in faster when they listen to stories at the nursery.
- Use roleplay Creating role-play scenarios of being at nursery, learning new things, and playing with imaginary friends, will help the child adapt faster.
- Give assurance Children are generally used to personal attention from their parents and the protective environment at home. Consequently, talk positively about the nursery and assure your child that they are entering a safe, happy, and secure learning environment. Additionally, expect it to take around one to two weeks for your child to mentally and socially adjust to this new phase.
- Use pictures Show pictures of the nursery and new teachers’ when talking about the nursery. Also, explain how their teacher will help and care for them while in nursery, and who will be dropping and picking them up.
- Emphasize that the nursery is a fun place! You can emphasize that attending a nursery can be fun by using examples of a child’s elder sibling or neighbor’s child who is already enjoying their time at nursery or big school.
- Be organized and prepared Ensure you are ready well in advance with the uniform, lunch pack, and toiletries like extra nappies and wipes. Furthermore, Make your child part of the process of selecting their brand-new school bag, lunch box, and water bottle to take to nursery, to make the process more exciting for them.
8 Vital tips to help your child enjoy nursery
- Ensure your child gets quality sleep This way the child wakes up well-rested before going to nursery.
- Feed your child a wholesome breakfast This is essential before they start their day at nursery, so that they will not be irritable due to hunger.
- Use visual routines and positive encouragement This helps your child adjust to nursery. Pictures of a toothbrush, breakfast, nap time, nursery time, etc, can all help your child understand and adapt to what comes next.
- Be on time Ensure drop off and pick up of children on time.
- Share details about your child’s routine Inform the teacher whether the child is potty trained or not, and about their likes, dislikes and any specific methods to calm and comfort them if they are upset.
- Prepare fun, vibrant and nutritious meals Always make sure to pack alternatives that your child will look forward to.
- Connect and build a relationship with your child’s class teacher Two-way communication is essential in order to help your child settle in faster and to get the maximum benefit from their nursery experience.
Motivate your child Encourage them to make friends and to enjoy the new environment in the nursery.
So, if you want your child to enjoy their time in nursery school, choose a premium children’s nursery like Toddler Town British Nursery, where each child is considered as a unique individual, and the learning journey is tailored according to their unique requirements. This can be the head start your child needs in a highly competitive, academic landscape.