Transition to School
Your child's transition to school
Assist us with your child’s transition to school by speaking to them about school and showing them the classroom with the online virtual tour prior to starting class @ (self guided virtual tours coming soon)
For now, you can show our pre-recorded virtual tour video so they get a feel for the classroom @ www.jumpstartlearning.ca/infopackage
Supporting Children with Anxiety
If this is your child’s first time attending our classroom, we encourage you to go through our online virtual tour with your child to get them familiar with the space. This helps with the anxiety of the ‘unknown’ for your child’s first day of school. The more they feel comfortable and know what to expect, the easier the transition will be and the more confident they will feel.
Here is a checklist or recommended things to do to manage your child’s transition:
- Try out our summer program during July and August
- Attend the ‘Meet and Greet Day’ as outlined in the ‘First Week of School’ section
- Attend the ‘Initial Assessment Day’ as outlined in the ‘First Week of School’ section
- Have your child attend the first week of school during staggered entry week and stay in the class for the first 15-20 minutes
- Before leaving your child in the classroom, look them in the eye and let them know to have fun and you will be back to get them after class
- Talk to your child about school and what to expect, show videos and the virtual tour of the classroom
- Share any important information about your child with your child’s teacher at the orientation or first week of school
- Create a routine around things you do before and after class
- Develop a consistent and predictable farewell routine
- If your child is experiencing extreme anxiety in class, your child’s teacher will work with you on a transition plan
- You may need to pick up your child early from class and let them stay longer each week. It is better to set the expectation that you will be picking them up early rather than have them experience a meltdown and then be picked up as to set the proper expectations.
Review additional resources to prepare your child for the transition to school:
https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/78-preschool-prep-how-to-prepare-your-toddler-for-preschool
Dealing with Extreme Anxiety
In cases where a child is experiencing extreme anxiety about school transitions, we will work closely with parents to create a personalized transition plan. These plans are developed on an individual basis to meet the unique needs of each child. Typically, this process involves starting with shorter periods at school and gradually increasing the length of time each day or week, depending on the child’s comfort level.
A key component of this plan is setting clear expectations with your child. Before each school day, you’ll remind your child that you’ll be back at a specific time, prior to the end of class. This helps reassure your child that your return is planned and expected, rather than seen as a “rescue” due to distress. Establishing this routine can prevent the feeling of being “saved” from school, which can reinforce anxiety.
As your child adjusts, we will continue to incrementally extend their time at school, with the goal of building their confidence and independence. You will also have access to our classroom app, where you can message educators directly for real-time updates and support throughout the transition process.
