The affective world is the esencial engine of their emotional, social and intellectual development, so the period of adaptation is a process in which the child emotionally Works out the loss and gain of the separation and the acceptance of the new situation.
Starting school is the first separation from the family and the way it is handled is very important because if it is done well it will help to resolve future situations (primary school, the relationships with unknown people, etc.). For a child it is the loss of a specific place, a safe and familiar area with people who are devoted to him or her, and the arrival in a place where he or she has to share everything with other children: things, space, teachers, etc.
On the other hand, the references of space and times are still not clear so the separations can be felt as if they are “forever” and he or she can have feelings of abandonment until day by day it is reinforced that mum or dad come back to pick him or her back.
“Apparently”, babies seem to be the most affected by the start of school but only apparently because they can sleep less or not as well, they lose weight, suffer from diarrhoea or constipation, develop more attachment to their mother, etc. Children from 1 to 3 years of age react to the changes with increased rebelliousness, but some children accept of the novelty of toys, children and new spaces very well in the first days, and after the first week they appreciate the problems of coexistence and competition, preferring the privileged situation they have at home.
The process of adaptation is something that the child has to work out but with our company (parents, teachers), knowing that we cannot avoid conflicts or prevent pain.
First we will have a welcoming and respectful relationship with the child. We proceed step by step, never forcing the process. We understand that the possible rebelliousness and sometimes the violent attitude towards us are not an agression against us, but a protest against the situation that has separated him or her from his or her family. We see feelings of sadness, doubt or fear in this separation but we work to overcome them and achieve confidence and security.
You will also have to adapt to the new situation, so we encourage you to ask any questions you have about how the school works.
We, on the other hand, will try to know “everything” about your child in order to provide security and confidence so that this new situation is a positive experience.
This is the reason why we introduce the child to the group one at a time, first with the parents and then step by step to reinforce the idea of your return. The first day is only half an hour and always with you, the second day is a little longer, and the time increases until it reaches the regular schedule, with the caretaker in charge of the classroom. For children with lunch included, there is also a time to adjust for lunch and a nap.