The importance of the nursery for the child
Children show different characteristics in different developmental stages. Again, children in the same age group and in a similar developmental period may show different characteristics. The age of 3-6 is the game period. In this period, children’s stubbornness and attachment have decreased, and they have gained a more sharing and more socialized feature. It is the period of forming the nuclei of one’s own identity by learning about their values such as resembling parents, distinguishing between good and bad, and their values (truthfulness, morality, being good, sharing). For this reason, they both imitate their parents in daily life and shape their own sexual identity and other identity characteristics in the games they play (with house, competition, car games, group games, imaginary games).
They want to play games all day long without getting tired. They look for friends in their games. For this reason, it is not appropriate for children of this age group to spend time only at home with their parents. Children in this age group learn many basic concepts by social interaction, play, and doing their own little chores, and they also improve their speaking, social and motor skills. It is during this period that they lay the foundations of the relationships they will establish in the future, passing from a parent relationship to a friend relationship.
Since the developmental characteristics of each child will be different, parents should choose a nursery or kindergarten according to the characteristics of their children. In these schools, the development of their children’s language, social and motor skills is important. Since the most important pillar of this development is interacting with their peers, schools that devote good time to social interaction and play, and that create programs that support the child by focusing on the areas where the child has developmental problems should be preferred.
When should parents start their children in kindergarten?
Children aged 1-3, whose language skills have not yet developed enough, who have not completed toilet training, who are stubborn, and who are not socialized enough, are not the appropriate age to start nursery school. The most important feature of starting kindergarten is the 3-year-old period, when the child manages to separate from his parents – he can endure this, he begins to socialize, and he wants to play games with his friends. Again, even if children follow their peers from behind in terms of development, it is recommended to start kindergarten for these children for reasons such as improving speaking skills, playing games, learning rules, socializing and developing motor skills.
Kindergarten adaptation process
Starting kindergarten is actually the first step towards a new period of life for children and their families. It is the first regular separation from home. For the child, it is participation in an environment that he does not know from the arms of his parents, from the familiar environment, among his peers and teachers. While it is something new for both parents and children, it is an environment where the child will play all day long, discover and develop himself and the world. Parents and school should facilitate the child’s adaptation to this new environment. They should not describe starting daycare as a stressful event for days. Parents should provide information about the nursery, if possible, introduce the child before starting the nursery. Again, it should be explained that it is necessary to go to kindergarten every day, and one should be determined against children who are reluctant to do so.
Is there a difference between children who go to kindergarten or not?
It was observed that the developmental characteristics, social skills, adaptation to the next academic life and academic skills of the children who received pre-school education were better. Especially in this period, when children who stay at home spend more time in front of the computer and television, the importance of the nursery and its contribution to the development of the child has increased.
How to prepare the child for the idea of a kindergarten/school?
Starting children with normal development to school does not create trauma. Especially children who have developmental problems, have difficulty separating from their parents, and have low self-confidence may have difficulties. With appropriate support and guidance, these children can overcome this problem and continue in school. (described above). Children who have difficulties in attending school with appropriate approaches and who have anxiety and fears should receive more professional support.
If we realize that he is not adapting to the nursery, if there are crying, reacting, some physical or psychological symptoms, what is our responsibility as parents, what should the school do?
During the school-starting period, sometimes parents may not want to leave their children without realizing it. Again, the children of parents who are very anxious, protective, meticulous, very stimulating and controlling may be more anxious. These children may not want to leave home or their parents or go to school. In this case, if the parents do not send the child to school from time to time, the problem may become more complex and stubborn. Children, who learn under what circumstances their parents do not send them to school, want to use this road by increasing its violence. In this case, parents should be determined to send the child to school and try to get the child used to school gradually. The school administration should support the child and the family, be patient during the child’s adaptation period, and show a flexible attitude specific to the child. When the problem persists and the child’s anxiety is high, they should seek the support of a child psychiatrist.
