Drop off time is a key factor in making your child’s transition successful. Here are a few guidelines:

• Attitude! Children have a built-radar that can sense a parent’s happiness as well as anxiety. Exuding calm and well-being can go a long way to making your child feel secure when saying goodbye. Take the time to speak with your child’s teacher, find out about any fun activities they may be covering that month which will allow you to positively reinforce school in conversations with your child. For infants, non-verbal communication is key –projecting a confident manner: smiling, clapping, handing over your child when they are calm, will build confidence for your child and you!
• Don’t Disappear! A common myth many parents believe is to “sneak out” without their child noticing to avoid causing upset. In fact, “disappearing” is a lot more traumatic than allowing your child to accept your departure. Stay with your child until they are playing and engaged within the school environment, i.e., playing with a toy, reading a book, playing with a friend, etc. This is your cue to wave a quick, assertive goodbye and to let them know you will come back to pick them up soon.
• Expect a few tears! Sometimes we see more tears from the parents than the children! The thing to know is that sadness is a perfectly natural response to being left in a new environment. Once they become engaged in their new activity they soon go happily along their day
• So Long, Farewell! 10 minutes is the maximum time one should take in saying goodbye to their child. More than 10 minutes sets up an unrealistic expectation for your little one that you’ll be staying with them all day and it’s a huge disappointment for them when you eventually have to leave.
• Timing is Everything! We all know how uncomfortable it feels to walk into a meeting late and children are no different. Being on time allows your child the time to get acclimated and ready for the day’s activities starting with circle time.
• For Your Information! Let your child’s teacher know about your child’s eating and sleep patterns. Just like some people can’t start their day without a cup of coffee, some kids enjoy their morning juice/milk while others like to read a book or play with a favorite toy. Early risers and little night owls have different needs. Sharing specific habits about your child helps us figure out the best way to help them adjust.

An important note about pick-up time: We understand that many of you want to take this time to visit with your child’s teacher to discuss their day. Checking in with your child’s teacher is always encouraged, but please consider that at the end of a long day your child is ready for a change of environment and is looking forward to spending quality time with you! Our suggestion: Keep it brief. Check in, see how the day went, ask if there is anything specific you need to know about their day at school. If you have specific questions that may require more face time with a teacher, send a note, an email or check in with your school’s director in the morning. We always welcome the opportunity to discuss your child’s development, and ways in which we can work best together!

At Eladia’s Kids we feel that each child is a fully developed person (but in little form!) so it’s never a one-size-fits-all option. What works best is for all of us — your child, our teachers and you – being in partnership, working together to figure out the best way for your child to be “free to be”.

All the best,
Eladia

Questions/Comments? Be sure to post your questions on our Ask Eladia page!

Welcome to Eladia’s Kids 2010-2011 school year.

The first week of school has passed and the children are doing great! The transitions are going either as well as expected or better. We are excited to continue the transition to school and the school environment for the rest of the month, and in the meantime we would like to say THANK YOU!

Thanks to all of our parents for entrusting your children to our care. Especially in this transition period, we thank you for giving us the freedom to do what we do best. We as caregivers and educators can only be successful in what we do with your partnership and trust. We value your participation with us and look forward to getting to know all of you better as the year continues.

Here are a few reminders:
1. September 30 from 6:30 – 9:00 – Parent Orientation
This meeting is for you to really get to know our school and meet your teachers. We will be introducing some new things at Eladia’s Kids thatyou’ll want to know about, so make sure you are there! You will be getting an evite in the next few days with more details.

2. The themes for the month are:
• All About Me (family tree, around the world)
• My Body
• Apples
• Introduction to Classroom Rules
The color is blue
The shape is circle

On the Horizon -
We are scheduling our next Slumber Party! (For children 18 months and up) For those of you who are new to our school, this is an evening where Eladia’s Kids has a ‘slumber party’ while you take the night off, go to dinner, have drinks or whatever you want! The evening begins at 6:30 and ends at 10:30. We will provide a Pizza Dinner, a snack and a big screen movie for the kids. You bring your little one in their pajamas, their blankets and sleeping toy. Look out for the email/evite. We look forward to having you there. (Limited availability, so make sure you respond quickly! First come, first serve)

See you at school…

All the Best,
Eladia