When a child is born, it is an event that brings untold joy to parents. It also brings about unexpected changes. Then as time flies by, each milestone in the child’s development is awaited with great anticipation and celebrated. And before you know it, they are ready for school. In case you are at that stage in life where the apple of your eye is on the threshold of entering a nursery such as Oakfield Early Learning Centre in JLT, here is a quick heads-up on what you should expect:

• Your naturally happy child suddenly becomes apprehensive

Home is something that your child is accustomed to. It is their comfort zone and coming out of this comfort zone is a traumatic time for the child, and for parents.

Prepare yourselves and your child for this big step forward in their lives by taking a positive approach towards the impending change. Start to prepare your child for a couple of months before the big day by talking about school in a fun and exciting way, something to enjoy and look forward to.

• Both you and your child WILL suffer from separation anxiety

A parent’s life, especially a mother’s, revolves around their child. A hands-on mom might find it difficult to let go of her child and sometimes may worry herself sick with apprehension. Inadvertently, this anxiety is passed on to the child. So a positive, confident approach when you are in front of your child is critical in making your child’s entry into a nursery a smooth one.

Your child too will suffer from separation anxiety. The new environment of the school, strange faces around him/her, and the absence of your child’s anchor, you, are a stressful time for your child. But do remember the nursery you choose does this every day. They are trained to deal with situations like this all the time. By using distraction as a key strategy, and by ensuring that your child bonds with the practitioners in the class quickly, they can ensure the that your child’s anxiety is allayed very quickly, and in a couple of days you will find that your toddler will start looking forward to going to school.

One other proven strategy is to allow your child to take with him/her a small “connection” toy (like a teddy bear or a favourite action character) from home to school every day. This creates the link with home in the child’s mind and helps

• The child cries on their way to school and even in school

This can be a tough situation for not just the child, the parent but also the teacher. Parents find it very difficult to control their urge of taking their crying child back. But this is not recommended. If you do it once, your child will know that crying works in getting their way and will then do it every day!

Distracting the child with something attractive or fun like activities, games, swings or toys usually does the trick. However, often the child remembers the fact that they are not in familiar surroundings and might start crying. Many Early Learning Centres in Jumeirah Park follow the practice of allowing the parent/ nanny to stay with the child for about 10 minutes before they are encouraged to quietly slip out. Unless your child bonds with one of the nursery practitioners, they will never settle. And this cannot happen if you are around!

• Your child is happy and looking forward to school

This stage usually is reached within a few days, and up to a week at the maximum. And then, it is not unusual at some Pre-Schools in the Marina for you to have a child who is reluctant to go home at the end of the day!