Most parents sooner or later have to send their grown-up child to kindergarten. Of course, for dads and mothers this situation is very exciting. Indeed, in the life of their child significant changes are coming. Over the next few years, this pre-school institution should become almost the second home for their baby, and therefore it is so important that he gets used to the new conditions as quickly as possible and can adapt to changing requirements more easily. What problems do children and their parents face in this, and how to make this period for the whole family go as smoothly as possible?
Concept of adaptation
This term refers to the process of adaptation of an individual to new conditions, as well as to a new environment for him. Significant changes in the life of any person, including the baby, have a direct impact on his psyche.
What is the adaptation of children in kindergarten? First of all, this is the period requiring a large energy outlay from a child. As a result of this, there is an overstrain of the child's body. In addition, the adaptation of children in kindergarten is an addiction to significant changes in living conditions, including:
- absence of dad, mom and other close relatives;
- the need for a clear daily routine;
- reducing the amount of time that will be devoted to a particular baby, because the group contains from 15 to 20 children;
- the need for submission to the requirements of adults alien to him.
The main factors of addiction
The period of adaptation of a child to kindergarten in all babies proceeds differently. So, some of them get used to new conditions relatively easily. In this case, the adaptation of children upon admission to kindergarten lasts only one to three weeks. Other crumbs are much more difficult. Their adaptation period stretches for a couple of months. Only after this the anxiety of the little man can significantly decrease. If the process of adaptation of children to kindergarten is not completed after this period, then parents will need to seek the advice of a specialist psychologist. What directly affects the success of this process? Experts identify a number of factors that should be considered in more detail.
Child age
Very often, young mothers tend to get to work early. This decision forces to send the baby to kindergarten at the age of two years, or even earlier. But it is worth noting that such a step is very difficult for the child. Indeed, at an early age, he still cannot fully interact with his peers.
Of course, every little person is a bright personality. However, most psychologists are of the opinion that the optimal age for starting a visit to DOW is 3 years. This conclusion is explained by the so-called crisis period of the first years of life. When the baby is 3 years old, the adaptation of the child in kindergarten by itself becomes much easier. After all, by this time, the level of psychological dependence on mothers in children decreases and independence increases. That is why it is much easier for them to part with loved ones for several hours.
Why not rush to register a child in a preschool? For example, if a child is 2 years old, then adaptation to kindergarten will most likely be difficult for him. After all, the formation of affection for mom and relationships between children and parents ends only when the baby reaches the age of three. That is why, in 2 years, a long separation from a loved one is likely to cause the baby a nervous breakdown and violate the basic trust in the world.
Do not neglect the greater degree of independence of the three-year-olds. As a rule, at this age, children already know how to walk on a pot and drink from a cup. Some of them even try to dress themselves. All these skills and facilitate the adaptation of children in kindergarten.
Health status
The period of adaptation of the child to the conditions of the kindergarten is rather difficult, if he has serious chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, etc. Difficulties to get used to in this case are explained by the characteristics of the body and an increased degree of psychological connection with loved ones.
The same can be said about those children who often get sick for a long time. In this case, for the successful adaptation of the child in kindergarten, special conditions will be required in the form of reduced loads and supervision by medical personnel. Experts recommend giving these kids to DOW as late as possible. After all, the main problem of adapting a child to kindergarten is his health, and in the younger group, the baby has the following:
- reduced immunity is manifested;
- susceptibility to infections is growing;
- emotional lability increases, expressed in periods of tearfulness;
- aggression, activity, or, on the contrary, slowness, unusual for a little man, arises.
When collecting documents in kindergarten, parents must undergo a physical examination with their kids. You do not need to be scared of this procedure. On the contrary, mothers and fathers can once again consult with doctors about how their child can survive the upcoming adaptation of children in kindergarten with minimal loss to health.
Level of psychological development
The successful passage of the period of adaptation of the child to kindergarten may be prevented by a deviation from the average indicators of cognitive interest. Moreover, in this case, both mental retardation and giftedness sometimes play a negative role.
The first option will require the use of special correction programs. They will help fill in the existing knowledge gaps, as well as increase the child's cognitive activity. If in the Kindergarten all such favorable conditions are created for such children, then by the school age they can catch up with their peers.
The psychological adaptation of children in kindergarten is complex and if they are gifted. The fact is that in these kids the level of cognitive activity is much higher than that of peers, while they are able to experience some difficulties in communication and socialization with classmates.
Contact with peers
Adaptation of young children in kindergarten implies a significant increase in the level of socialization. Toddlers have to communicate a lot with their peers, as well as with adults unfamiliar to them. At the same time, psychologists note the peculiarities of children's adaptation to kindergarten. The fastest way to get used to a new society is those kids whose social circle is not limited to parents and grandmothers. If children rarely have contact with their peers, then it will be very difficult for them to get used to the changed conditions. Here their still weak communication skills and, in addition, the inability to resolve conflict situations will affect them. All this certainly causes an increase in anxiety and is the main reason for unwillingness to attend kindergarten.
In many ways, this factor of adaptation of young children in kindergarten depends on teachers. An educator who knows how to establish good contact with a child significantly speeds up the process of getting used to unusual conditions.
Behavior features
Sometimes the period of adaptation of children in kindergarten scares parents so much that they begin to believe that this “horror” will never end, and that their child simply will not be able to attend preschool. However, fathers and mothers are usually worried about the behavioral features of their children that are typical of the vast majority of babies who are going through this stage of their lives. And parents should not think at the same time that only their child can not attend preschool, and the rest of the children behave better. This is far from the case. Consider the most common changes that can be observed in the behavior of the child when adapting to the conditions of the kindergarten.
Emotions
How is the adaptation of the child in kindergarten? At the initial stage of visiting the DOW, he expressed various negative emotions in the form of crying and whimpering. The manifestation of fear becomes especially vivid. The baby, with all his behavior, shows that he is scared. He is afraid of the teacher and the fact that his mother will never return after him. Manifestation in the child during this period and anger. He breaks out, not allowing himself to undress, and is even able to hit a loved one who is going to leave him in a group. Sometimes these children manifest depressive reactions. They become inhibited, and it seems that they have no emotions at all.
Among the features of adaptation of children to kindergarten, the absence of positive emotions stands out, which is especially pronounced in the very first days. Kids are very upset about parting with their familiar environment and with their mother. The child may smile. However, this is usually a reaction to a new toy or a fun game.
Parents have to be patient. No matter how hard it is, it is worth remembering that positive emotions will necessarily come to replace negative emotions. They will indicate the completion of the adaptation of the child of the younger group in kindergarten. The child can cry when parting with his mother for a long time. However, such a manifestation of emotions does not at all indicate that his getting used to new conditions is going badly. If the baby is able to calm down after only a few minutes after the mother left the group, then we can assume that everything is in order.
Sociability
The first days of adaptation of preschool children to kindergarten pass with a decrease in their social activity. Even those kids who were sociable and optimistic become restless, withdrawn and tense. Adults, watching children, you need to keep in mind that 2-3-year-old crumbs play only nearby, but not together. At this age, the story game with the involvement of several participants has not yet been developed. That is why parents should not be upset if their baby does not interact with others. Successful completion of the adaptation process in this case can be judged by the interaction of the child with the teacher. The kid should respond to the requests of an adult and follow the daily routine.
Cognitive activity
At the initial stage, this factor in children who came to DOW is usually reduced or completely absent due to stress reactions. Sometimes a child is no longer even interested in toys. He seeks to sit aside in order to better navigate in the new environment. And only gradually in the process of adaptation the baby will begin to develop the space of the group. He makes “sorties” to toys, gradually they become more courageous and frequent. After that, the child will begin to have cognitive questions that he will ask the teacher.
Skills
At the beginning of the visit to the kindergarten, the baby will be affected by external influences new to him. Because of this, some children temporarily lose their self-care skills, including the ability to use a spoon, pot, handkerchief, etc. If the adaptation of children in kindergarten is successful, it will be pleasant for parents to see that their baby not only remembered all that was forgotten, but also learned something new.
Speech
During the adaptation period, the vocabulary of some children can be significantly depleted. At the same time, “lite” versions of words and sentences will appear in it. Parents should not worry about this. Over time, the child’s speech will not only be restored, but also significantly enriched. To do this, you just need to be patient and wait for the end of the adaptation period.
Physical activity
When children come to preschool, some children become too active, while others become “inhibited”. During this period, changes affect their home activities. A good sign of successful passage of adaptation is the restoration of normal motor behavior both in the kindergarten and outside its walls.
Sleep
A child left by her parents for sleep during the day will be bad to fall asleep.
The baby will either jump up or wake up with a cry. Restless crumbs will be at home. And only after the completion of the adaptation period will everything come back to normal.
Appetite
At the initial stage, when the child just started attending DOW, he will not seek food. At the same time, a decrease in appetite is associated with unusual food for crumbs, as well as with stressful reactions. How to understand that the adaptation process is successful? This will be indicated by the restoration of the appetite of the little man. And even if he doesn’t eat everything, he will begin to eat.
Change in body condition
Often, children begin to get sick already in the first month of their visit to kindergarten. After all, the process of adaptation is accompanied by a decrease in the resistance of the organism that has not yet become stronger to various infections. Of course, many mothers hope that their child will be able to get used to the changed conditions after just a few days of visiting the preschool. However, do not rush time. Psychologists and doctors identified 3 degrees of adaptation of children to DOW. Among them:
- light, which lasts from 15 to 30 days;
- medium (period 30 to 60 days);
- severe (from 2 to 6 months).
Let's consider each of these degrees in more detail.
Easy adaptation
With this degree of baby's getting used to the new conditions, his behavior in all the main indicators comes to normal already during one month of visiting DOW. To attend a kindergarten is not a tragedy for him. He comes to his group joyfully and calmly.
With a mild degree of the adaptation period, the appetite in babies decreases moderately and after a week it comes back to normal. Quickly, such children recover and sleep. 1-2 weeks are enough for this. Insignificant in such cases is a decrease in immunity. After 2-3 weeks, he fully returns to normal.
Average adaptation
This degree of addiction to DOW takes much longer and is accompanied by significant deviations. The sleep and appetite of such babies is restored only by the middle of the 2nd month of their stay in the kindergarten. The activity of the crumbs is reduced. He develops emotional depression, which is sometimes accompanied by impaired stools, sweating, and dark circles under the eyes. In the case of a child undergoing adaptation to its moderate degree, he often has ARVI, which, in addition, proceeds, much harder. Similar symptoms disappear by the end of the 2nd month.
Heavy adaptation
This degree of addiction is of particular concern. It is accompanied by long-term illnesses that have a severe course, a strong decrease in appetite, as well as a suppression of emotional and physical activity. Such symptoms clearly indicate that the baby's defenses can not cope with the conditions that have arisen and are not able to protect his body from various infectious factors of the new environment.
Serious stress and weakened immunity have a negative effect on the mental and physical development of the child, as well as on his emotional state. The baby begins to refuse to eat, from communication and games.
Adaptation phases
The end of the period of getting used to the conditions of the DOW can be judged by the moment when the negative emotions of the child change to positive, and at the same time, all regressive functions are restored. At the same time, the child during the morning parting no longer cries and goes to the group with desire. He is increasingly willing to interact with the teacher, responding to his requests, follows all the requirements of the regime, is guided in a group and even has his favorite toys and activities.
Conducting comprehensive research by scientists from different countries allowed us to distinguish three phases (stages) of the adaptation process:
- Sharp. It is accompanied by a wide variety of fluctuations in mental status and in somatic state. The passage of this phase causes weight loss, the appearance of frequent respiratory diseases, loss of appetite, as well as regression in the development of speech. The duration of this phase is approximately one month.
- Subacute. This phase is characterized by adequate baby behavior. All shifts in his behavior begin to decrease and occur only in relation to individual parameters. At the same time, a slower pace of development of the child, especially mental, is noted. The duration of this stage is 3-5 months.
- Compensation phase. . .
. . , . , , , , .
Preliminary preparation
?
. :
- . . . . . , .
- . , - , . , , .
- Accustom a child at the same time to go to the toilet in a big way. Moreover, this should be a period not from 11 to 13 hours, when the kids go for a walk. Little by little, the kid should learn to go to the toilet not at the moment when he really, really wants to, but in advance.
- To bring the child’s menu closer to kindergarten. In this case, parents need to eliminate the snacks that their baby requires before or after the main meals. For this, experts recommend reducing the calorie content of dishes for a while. This will lead to an improvement in appetite. But if the child continues to refuse to eat faster and leaves the food on a plate, then it is necessary to talk with the teacher so that he shows patience and is gentle with the baby in this matter. Indeed, often problems with food become the main reason that children refuse to go to kindergarten.
- Carry out hardening procedures. The easiest and most effective way to do this is to walk barefoot. In summer, it should be on the ground, and in winter - indoors. Such an event will strengthen the immune as well as the nervous system. Great benefits in hardening will bring water procedures. Experts advise parents not to limit the baby's stay in the water and not to control its temperature too much. You should also gradually accustom the baby to cold drink, so that he can give kefir, milk and juices directly from the refrigerator without any health problems. From the point of view of temperature contrast, the use of ice cream will also be beneficial.
- Accustom to the fact that mom can go away. For this, psychologists recommend creating situations when a child himself asks a person close to him for a while to leave. For example, in order to prepare a surprise for mom or play longer with friends. At the same time, leaving for a long time, you should ask the child to follow the order in the house and give him any instructions that he must fulfill to mother's return. When meeting a baby, you must definitely ask how his day went and praise for his success.
- Track how the baby plays with peers. The fact is that the relationship between children at this age is at the formation stage. In a child whom parents have sent to kindergarten, this process is significantly accelerated. That is why parents should pay attention to whether their child is suitable for playing children. If it is difficult for him, then mothers and fathers need to teach him how to do it. The kid should be able to greet the children, offer them brought toys, ask them to play with them and react correctly in case of failure, while finding a compromise.
- To teach the kid to take out into the yard only those toys that he is ready to give friends. If he takes with him only his beloved teddy bear and does not share it with anyone, he will soon become known as a greed and remain alone.
Help mom
In the process of adaptation, close people should create the most careful environment for the baby in the house, which will spare the nervous system of the crumbs, working at full capacity during this period.
In addition, mothers need to talk about the teacher and kindergarten in the presence of the child only good. And this is in spite of some existing complaints. It is always easier for a child who respects caregivers to adapt to new conditions.
In addition, on weekends, parents should not change the mode of their child. Of course, he can sleep a little longer in the morning, but without really shifting the entire daily routine.
You should also not wean children undergoing adaptation to kindergarten from "bad" habits, for example, from the nipple. This will allow not to overload the nervous system of the crumbs, which is already too stressful.
Mom in such a difficult period for the baby should be more tolerant of his whims. The reason for their occurrence is overload of the NS. The disgruntled baby should be hugged, help him calm down and switch to another activity.
In the kindergarten you can give a toy from home. Better if it is soft. At this age, for a baby, a familiar toy will be a mother’s deputy. Clutching a soft piece of home, the baby will calm down faster in an unfamiliar environment.