Redlands House and PreKindergarten
Lunar New Year Celebrations
What a fantastic celebration of culture! Lunar New Year is such a special time for many communities around the world, filled with traditions, delicious food and joyful gatherings. Opening your doors to family and friends to celebrate together made this a wonderful experience, fostering a sense of connection and community. Thank you to Ms Hamilton for organising the event, and a special thank you to all the parents who helped make this event successful and fun for the Redlands House students.
Seniors and PreK Sport
This week, our focus was on enhancing gymnastics skills and hand-eye coordination. Students practiced log rolls, forward rolls, balance beam activities, as well as jumping, hopping and skipping. Additionally, they engaged with the mini trampoline to further develop their motor skills.
The PreK students particularly enjoyed playing with large balls, while also demonstrating notable improvement in their hand-eye coordination through activities involving smaller balls.
Supporting a Sense of Belonging
Children have a strong need for affiliation and a strong sense of belonging after separating from their caregivers. When separating, children instinctively seek their own protection and membership by forming close attachments to their peer group. It is essential to encourage positive interactions and bonding with new peers to promote resilience and restore a sense of belonging. Remind the children of their support resources, such as their teacher, and encourage children to seek out new experiences and form positive relationships with others.
Separation anxiety is a common experience for many children, and parents can be faced with many challenges when it comes to dropping off their little ones at preschool. It can be tough for both the child and the parent to manage the feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. However, with patience, understanding and some helpful strategies, you can make the separation process smoother.
Establish a Consistent Routine
Children thrive on routine and predictability. Establish a consistent morning routine that includes comforting activities such as cuddling, reading a favourite book or singing a familiar song before heading to school. Consistency provides a sense of security for your child and can ease their anxiety about leaving you. Pack bags the night before to minimise morning chaos.
Stay Calm, Positive and Confident
Children possess remarkable perceptiveness and can easily sense your emotions. Therefore, it’s essential to remain calm and composed during drop-off, even if you’re grappling with your own anxiety. Offer gentle words of encouragement and remind your child about the enjoyable activities awaiting them at school. Your reassuring presence can significantly ease their anxiety. When providing explanations, strive to be concise and straightforward, avoiding a tone that might sound pleading.
Create a Goodbye Ritual
Establish a special goodbye ritual that provides comfort and reassurance to your child. It could be a secret handshake, a special hug or a kiss on the hand. Whatever ritual you choose, make it meaningful and consistent. It signals to your child that you are leaving but will return later.
Resist the Urge to Hover
While it’s natural to want to linger and make sure your child is okay, hovering can prolong the separation process and increase your child’s anxiety. Once you’ve said goodbye, trust that your child is in capable hands and resist the urge to constantly check in. Short and sweet is key!
Acknowledge Your Own Feelings
Separation anxiety isn’t just challenging for children; it can also trigger strong emotions in parents. It’s okay to feel guilty or worried about leaving your child but remember that separation is a normal and healthy part of their development. If you’re struggling with your own emotions, seek help and try not to let it interfere with your child’s morning drop-off.
Picture Books
These can serve as a valuable tool for initiating conversations with your child about their fears and concerns. Engaging stories and colourful illustrations provide a non-threatening platform for addressing difficult topics. For a curated list of picture books designed to help children navigate their fears and anxieties, you can explore the following link. In addition to this, we’d recommend The Invisible String by Patrice Kart and The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.
Extra Resources
Common Concerns with Separation Anxiety
Soothing your Child’s Separation Anxiety
Kids Health Article – Separation Anxiety
Twilight in the Garden
Friday 21 February, 6pm
Our Twilight in the Garden event provides a wonderful opportunity for our new families to connect with our school community on the Fahl Garden on our Senior Campus. We are expecting this to be another sold out event for parents and carers, so please purchase your tickets early here.
Mrs Chemane Huon
Redlands House and PreKindergarten Coordinator
chuon@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9904 1448