Deciding to send a child to kindergarten stirs up complicated feelings for parents. That’s normal. Here’s how to get through the adaptation period gently, so your child feels calm and happy.
1-2 weeks before starting
Get your child used to the kindergarten’s routine in advance. Typically: 8:30 — breakfast, 9 to 10 — activities, then a walk, 11:30–12:30 — lunch, followed by getting ready for and taking a nap until 15:00, then a snack and another walk.
In the first few days, drop-off runs from 9:00 to 11:00. Fill out a form about your child’s habits in advance — what they like, which games they prefer — it helps staff find the right individual approach.
The most important thing — your calm 💙
Your child feels your anxiety. The calmer and warmer you are, the easier and faster adaptation goes.
How to make adaptation easier
- Build a positive association with the kindergarten — never use it as a threat
- Talk to staff respectfully and warmly — your child takes cues from you
- Don’t discuss things that bother you in front of your child
- Don’t try to break habits (pacifier, thumb-sucking) at the same time as starting kindergarten
- If it’s hard to separate from mom — let dad or grandma do the drop-off
- Bring your child in consistently for the first 1-2 months — it makes adaptation easier
- Be ready for tantrums: your child gets tired from adjusting, and things settle down over time
- Send along a favorite item from home — it will remind them of home