Happy Beginnings: Making Pre-KG Child's Early Days?Joyful

Reception Guidelines for Minimizing Anxiety and Fostering Engagement

Objective: To ensure a seamless and joyful transition for first-time school-goers from their home environment to the school setting, minimising distress, and separation anxiety.

Scope: This protocol is designed for all staff members who interact with pre-KG students during the initial phase of their school life, including reception staff, teachers, helpers, and ayahs.

Protocol Guidelines:

Pre-arrival Communication:

1. Arrange pre-term orientation sessions for parents and children to familiarise them with the school environment.
2. Provide parents with a welcome package prior to the start of the school year, detailing what to expect and how to positively prepare their child.
3. Encourage parents to talk positively about the school experience, highlighting fun activities and the friendly staff they will meet.
4. Train staff in child psychology basics, focusing on separation anxiety and comfort strategies.

Warm Welcomes:

1. Greet both the child and parent warmly.
2. Greet each child by name with a warm smile and a gentle, reassuring tone and friendly voice.
3. Use a calm and cheerful tone to convey a sense of normalcy and fun.
4. Offer a favourite toy or object to the child as a transitional object.
5. Engage in a familiar routine, like a special handshake or a hello phrase, to create a sense of welcome each morning.

Example Phrases for Greeting:

1. “Good morning [Child’s Name], You’re going to have so much fun today, and we’ll be here with you the whole time.”
2. “Good morning [Child’s Name], we have your favourite [activity/book/toy] ready for you!”
3. “Hello [Child’s Name], I’m so excited to see you today! We’re going to have a great time!”

Engagement and Distraction:

1. Engage the child immediately in an activity they show interest in, like drawing or playing with blocks.
2. Get them laughing with some silly jokes or by reading a funny story together. Laughter relieves tension.
3. Ask them to "teach" you how to draw their favourite animal or build something with blocks. Kids engage deeply when in a teaching role.

Emotional Support:

1. Strategies for Consoling a Crying Child: Kneel to the child's eye level to appear less intimidating. Acknowledge the child's feelings without dismissing them.
2. Have a designated ‘Comfort Corner’ equipped with toys and books, a space where children can feel secure and gradually adapt to the school environment.

Phrases for Consoling:

1. “I can see you’re feeling sad about saying goodbye to mummy/daddy. It’s okay to feel sad. Would you like to hear a story/read a book/play a game until you feel better?”
2. “It’s hard to say goodbye, isn’t it? How about we go and see what your friends are doing? They can’t wait to play with you!”

Parental Involvement:

1. Advise parents on short, positive goodbyes and reassure them about their child’s well-being.
2. Offer suggestions for parting phrases parents can use, such as

• “See you soon! You’re going to have a great day!”
• “I’ll be back after you’ve played with your new friends and had a snack.”

Staff Training:

1. Organise workshops and training sessions on early childhood development and effective communication techniques.
2. Emphasise the importance of language that conveys empathy and understanding.

Parent Feedback, Monitoring and Involvement:

1. Provide regular updates to parents on their child’s adjustment and experiences.
2. Organise parent-teacher meetings to discuss individual children's adaptation and any concerns.
3. Provide extra attention to children who have difficulty adapting.

Staff Actions:

1. Teachers, Reception Staff, Ayahs, and Helpers should always share positive observations and feedback in the presence of children.
2. All staff should offer a calm presence, kneeling to the child’s level to converse with them.
3. Teachers should guide the child to an engaging activity, maintaining a serene environment.
4. Helpers and ayahs should be attentive to the children’s needs, offering comfort and assistance as they settle in.

Example Phrases for Staff to Use:

• To Children: “Look at all these toys waiting for you to play with!”
• To Parents: “We have a wonderful day planned for [Child’s Name]. We’ll make sure they are happy.”

Conclusion:

By following these protocols, the school ensures that the introduction to school life for our youngest learners is supportive, nurturing, and conducive to a lifelong love for learning. Regular review and adaptation of these protocols based on ongoing experiences and feedback are essential for continuous improvement.

Prepared by: Thomson P. , Founder and CEO, Eloit