Adaptation of a child to kindergarten: 3 stages, 4 factors influencing the child, 8 tips for parents

The topic of a child’s adaptation to kindergarten does not lose its relevance. Many parents are faced with difficulties in getting their son or daughter accustomed to new conditions and do not know how to properly resolve them.

In this article, we will tell moms and dads what a child’s adaptation to a preschool institution involves, what degrees and stages of adaptation exist, and how to help the child adapt to the children’s group as quickly as possible.

Make sure that your child's adaptation is going smoothly or check if he has any problems so that you can help in time. Use the “Where are my children” application in combination with a children's smart watch - instantly contact your child, listen to the sound around you and always know where he is.

What is adaptation?

In general terms, this process is understood as the individual’s adaptation to a new environment and conditions.
Such changes have an impact on the psyche of any person, including children who are forced to adapt to the garden. You should understand in more detail what adaptation to kindergarten is. First of all, it requires enormous energy expenditure from the child, as a result of which the child’s body is overstrained. In addition, one cannot discount the changed living conditions, namely:

Moms and dads and other relatives are absent nearby;
it is necessary to maintain a clear daily routine;
need to interact with other children;
the amount of time devoted to a particular child decreases (the teacher communicates with 15 - 20 kids at the same time);
the baby is forced to obey the demands of other people's adults.

So, the baby’s life changes radically. In addition, the adaptation process is often fraught with undesirable changes in the child’s body, which are expressed externally in the form of violated behavioral norms and “bad” actions.

The stressful state in which the child is trying to adapt to changed conditions is expressed by the following states:

disturbed sleep - the child wakes up with tears and refuses to fall asleep;
decreased appetite (or its complete absence) – the child does not want to try unfamiliar dishes;
regression of psychological skills - a child who previously spoke, knew how to dress, use cutlery, go to the potty, “loses” such skills;
decreased cognitive interest - children are not interested in new play equipment and peers;
aggression or apathy - active children suddenly reduce their activity, and previously calm children show aggressiveness;
decreased immunity - during the period of adaptation of a small child to kindergarten, resistance to infectious diseases decreases.

Thus, the adaptation process is a complex phenomenon, during which the child’s behavior can change dramatically. As you get used to the kindergarten, such problems disappear or are significantly smoothed out.

general information

Adaptation is getting used to new conditions of existence. This is exactly what happens to a child when he is literally torn out of his home and cozy environment and begins to be taken to kindergarten. It feels (from his point of view) the same as if a person were on another planet. Stress is caused by literally everything:

absence of close people nearby (especially mothers);
the need to maintain a new daily routine: eating strictly according to the clock, and you can no longer ask mom for Barney Bear or FrutoNyanya whenever you want;
the presence of a large number of screaming, noisy, fighting children nearby, with whom for some reason you need to share toys and follow their rules of play;
the lack of that layer of attention that was given to him before: after all, the teacher aunt needs to keep an eye on everyone at once;
new rules that require strict implementation: put away toys, wash your hands, don’t make noise while sleeping, walk in pairs, etc.

Just like that, literally in an instant, life changes radically. And it is impossible to get used to this in an instant. Therefore, adaptation to kindergarten is a long and multi-stage process. It will require enormous patience from the parents and considerable effort on the part of the child. To reduce stress and help him overcome this difficult period as quickly as possible, you should think about this issue long before he crosses the threshold of the group.

With the world on a thread. Great Britain. In English kindergartens you are allowed to bring home-cooked food and not sleep during the day. A cold, runny nose and even low temperature are not a hindrance to visiting.

Degrees of adaptation

The process of adaptation of a child in kindergarten can proceed in different ways. Some children quickly get used to the changed environment, while others worry their parents for a long time with negative behavioral reactions. It is by the severity and duration of the above problems that the success of the adaptation process is judged.

Psychologists distinguish several degrees of the adaptation process that are characteristic of preschool-aged children.

Easy adaptation

In this case, the baby joins the children's team in 2 - 4 weeks. This type of adaptation is typical for most children and is characterized by the accelerated disappearance of negative behavioral reactions. You can judge that a child easily gets used to kindergarten by the following features:

he comes in without tears or hysterics and remains in the group room;
when speaking, looks teachers in the eye;
able to voice a request for help;
is the first to make contact with peers;
able to occupy himself for a short period of time;
easily adapts to daily routine;
responds adequately to educational approval or disapproval remarks;
tells parents how classes went in the garden.

Moderate addiction

How long does the adaptation period in kindergarten last in this case? At least 1.5 months. At the same time, the child often gets sick and demonstrates pronounced negative reactions, but it is impossible to talk about his maladaptation and inability to join the team.

When observing a child, it can be noted that he:

has difficulty parting with his mother, cries a little after separation;
when distracted, forgets about the separation and joins the game;
communicates with peers and teacher;
adheres to the stated rules and routines;
responds adequately to comments;
rarely becomes the instigator of conflict situations.

Difficult adaptation

Children with a severe type of adaptation process are quite rare, but they can easily be found in a children's group.
Some of them show open aggression when visiting kindergarten, while others withdraw into themselves, demonstrating complete detachment from what is happening. The duration of addiction can range from 2 months to several years. In especially severe cases, they talk about complete maladaptation and the impossibility of attending a preschool institution. The main characteristics of a child with a severe degree of adaptation:

reluctance to communicate with peers and adults;
tears, hysterics, stupor when parting with parents for a long time;
refusal to enter the playing area from the locker room;
reluctance to play, eat, or go to bed;
aggressiveness or isolation;
inadequate response to the teacher’s address to him (tears or fear).

It should be understood that absolute inability to fit into kindergarten is an extremely rare phenomenon, so it is necessary to contact specialists (psychologist, neurologist, pediatrician) and jointly develop an action plan. In some cases, doctors may advise you to postpone visiting a preschool educational institution.

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Stages of addiction

We talked about the degrees and stages of children’s adaptation to kindergarten, but also every baby goes through a period of adjustment. What is important to know about this?

Stage 1 - maladjustment.

No matter how successful the preparatory adaptation is, at first the baby will still be in a state of stress and anxiety. Even the most active and sociable children need time to get used to parting with their parents. Colds appear.

Stage 2 - adaptation.

The child begins to gradually get used to the new regime, other children and adults, and participates in games, although he continues to miss his family and ask if they will take him away. Changeable moods, whims, and refusal to comply with the teacher’s requests may be observed.

Stage 3 - compensation.

At the final stage of adaptation, the baby is already emotionally stable and calmly remains in the garden for the whole day, eats and sleeps well. The child begins to get sick less often.

What influences a child’s adaptation?

So, the period of adaptation of children in kindergarten always proceeds differently. But what influences its success? Experts include age characteristics, child health, degree of socialization, level of cognitive development, etc. among the most important factors.

Child's age

Often, parents, trying to get to work early, send their child to kindergarten at two years old, or even earlier. However, most often such a step does not bring much benefit, since a young child is not yet able to interact with peers.

Of course, every child is a bright individual, however, according to many psychologists, it is possible to identify an optimal age period that is most suitable for getting used to kindergarten - and this is 3 years.

It's all about the so-called crisis period of three years. As soon as the baby passes this stage, his level of independence increases, his psychological dependence on his mother decreases, therefore, it is much easier for him to part with her for a few hours.

Why shouldn’t you rush to send your child to preschool? At the age of 1 - 3 years, the formation of child-parent relationships and attachment to the mother occurs. That is why prolonged separation from the latter causes a nervous breakdown in the baby and violates basic trust in the world.

In addition, one cannot help but note the greater independence of three-year-olds: they, as a rule, have potty etiquette, know how to drink from a cup, and some children are already trying to dress themselves. Such skills make it much easier to get used to the garden.

Health status

Children with serious chronic diseases (asthma, diabetes, etc.) quite often experience difficulty adjusting due to the characteristics of the body and the increased psychological connection with their parents.

The same applies to children who are often sick for a long time. Such babies require special conditions, reduced loads and supervision of medical personnel. That’s why experts recommend sending them to kindergarten later, especially since the pain will disrupt their preschool attendance schedule.

The main problems of adaptation of sick children in a nursery group:

an even greater decrease in immunity;
increased susceptibility to infections;
increased emotional lability (periods of tearfulness, exhaustion);
the occurrence of unusual aggressiveness, increased activity or, conversely, slowness.

Before entering a preschool institution, children are required to undergo a medical examination. There is no need to be afraid of this; on the contrary, parents will have the opportunity to once again consult with doctors about how to survive the adaptation with minimal losses.

Degree of psychological development

Another point that can prevent successful adaptation to preschool education is a deviation from the average indicators of cognitive development. Moreover, both delayed mental development and giftedness can lead to maladjustment.

In case of delayed mental development, special correctional programs are used to help fill gaps in knowledge and increase the cognitive activity of children. Under favorable conditions, such children catch up with their peers by school age.

A gifted child, surprisingly, also falls into the risk group, since his cognitive abilities are higher than those of his peers, and he may also experience difficulties with socialization and communication with classmates.

Level of socialization

A child’s adaptation to kindergarten involves increased contacts with peers and with unfamiliar adults. At the same time, there is a certain pattern - those kids whose social circle was not limited to their parents and grandmothers are more likely to get used to the new society.

Those children who rarely interacted with other children, on the contrary, find it difficult to adapt to changed conditions. Poor communication skills and the inability to resolve conflict situations cause an increase in anxiety and lead to reluctance to attend kindergarten.

Of course, this factor largely depends on the teachers. If the teacher gets along well with the child, adaptation will noticeably speed up. That is why, if possible, you should enroll in a group with the teacher whose reviews are most often positive.

How parents can help their child during the adaptation period

Parental help can be called fundamental in adaptation.

General recommendations:

Make sure your child acquires simple skills (the ability to use a spoon, ask to go potty, get dressed, communicate with others, use a handkerchief, express requests in words or gestures).
Don't discuss your experiences in front of your child.
Dress your baby according to the season. Shoes and clothing should not create difficulties for him. Choose shoes not with laces, but with Velcro, and clothes with snaps, not buttons.
Study the kindergarten routine in advance. Follow it every day (on weekends too).
Too frequent visits to public organizations (performances, clubs) in combination with many intellectual activities at home can overload the baby’s nervous system.
Often discuss with your preschooler how useful kindergarten is, and how important it is for him to go there (put dolls to bed, water flowers, play with soft toys).
Regularly check the contents of your baby’s pockets to make sure there are no piercing, small or sharp objects in them.
When meeting with the teacher, tell him about the baby’s mood and health. Be interested in how he behaves in kindergarten.
Do not give your child too expensive toys, and if this happens and the baby does not keep track of the thing, do not be too strict with him.
Plan your own schedule so that in the first month of being in kindergarten, the preschooler is not there until the end of the day, and can quickly find himself in familiar home conditions.
Teach your son or daughter to communicate with other people. Go on a visit or visit crowded playgrounds more often.
Only healthy children are allowed to attend kindergarten. Remember about the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections.

If you have come to the conclusion that your child feels the need for contact with familiar adults and is not afraid of strangers, then this is a good sign. If he strives for independence, willingly engages in games, has some self-service skills, is friendly and open, then he is probably ready for kindergarten.

The main mistakes of parents

Many parents make mistakes that interfere with their adaptation to kindergarten. So, let's look at the most common misconceptions:

“The sooner you send your child to a nursery (a year or two), the sooner he adapts

If possible, it is better to abandon the nursery unless there is an urgent need for it. For children under three years of age (some longer), it is important to feel connected to their family and preferably spend most of the day in their home. During this period, his emotional connection with his mother and father is especially strong; it builds self-confidence in the child and provides a sense of security. Also, many physiological and psychological needs can only be “closed” by a mother or father. It has been noticed that children who were at an early age not in a nursery, but with their mother, are more emotionally stable.

Experts involved in preschool development have come to the conclusion that in recent years, preschoolers have often experienced developmental difficulties, so at an early age it is better to be under the supervision and care of their mother. This does not exclude joint attendance at play sessions for early development, which will be the first step towards socialization.

“A three-year-old child can stay in kindergarten all day.”

Kindergartens mainly accept children from the age of three. However, not every 3-year-old preschooler has such readiness, especially when it comes to staying full-time. Some people manage to adapt at three years old, others at four, and still others at five cannot easily tolerate separation from mom or dad. An adapted child goes to kindergarten with desire and says goodbye to his mother without crying or suffering.

Girls manage to get used to new people and routines faster, and this is easier for them at 3-4 years old than for boys, who adapt much more slowly. Boys are more emotionally attached to their parents and have a harder time being separated, even for a few hours. Focus on the baby’s condition and analyze it.

“You need to go to kindergarten in the fall”

More often, children are brought to kindergarten in September, but a more favorable time for adaptation is the end of spring and summer. During this period, the cognitive cycle usually ends, children walk more and do creative work. Daylight hours are becoming longer, brighter and warmer. Waking up in the morning is easier.

Autumn can hardly be called a good time for adaptation. At first, it is important for the baby to observe the slowness of the processes in order to be able to look around and get used to it. It is easier to do this in the summer, when there are fewer children in the kindergarten, and teachers have finished with the main educational programs and devote more time to role-playing games.

Let us note other difficulties that appear in the spring:

The baby gets tired faster and finds it more difficult to concentrate.
There is a decrease in emotional background due to lack of sunlight, gloomy weather, and early sunset.

“In a week you can get used to kindergarten”

For some children this is possible, but not for all. During the first month, it is advisable not to leave the baby all day. One to two weeks is an adjustment period for an emotionally stable child of 5-6 years old or for someone who has already attended kindergarten. Girls manage to get used to it faster, boys usually need at least a month. As already mentioned, for the first week it is advisable for the baby to spend time in the garden before lunch, then until afternoon tea, and only after a month try a full stay.

It happens that the child immediately stays for a full day, without expressing any special signs of anxiety or discomfort, but after 1-2 months mental overstrain begins to appear (obsessive movements, tics, enuresis, loss of appetite, viral diseases). The described factors indicate a high workload that was beyond the strength of a preschooler.

Stages of adaptation of a small child to kindergarten

Adaptation of children is a heterogeneous process, so experts identify several periods characterized by the severity of negative reactions. Of course, such a division is rather arbitrary, but it helps to understand how successful the addiction will be.

The first stage is also acute. Its main feature is maximum mobilization of the child’s body. The child is constantly excited and tense; it is not surprising that parents and teachers note tearfulness, nervousness, capriciousness and even hysteria.

In addition to psychological changes, physiological changes can also be detected. In some cases, there is an increase or decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. Increased susceptibility to infections.

The second phase is called moderately acute, since the severity of negative reactions decreases, and the child adapts to the changed conditions. There is a decrease in the baby’s excitability and nervousness, improved appetite, sleep, and normalization of the psycho-emotional sphere.

However, it is not yet possible to talk about complete stabilization of the condition. Throughout this period, negative emotions may return, and undesirable reactions may appear in the form of hysterics, tearfulness, or reluctance to part with parents.

The third stage – compensated – stabilizes the child’s condition. In the final adaptation period, complete restoration of psychophysiological reactions occurs, and the child successfully joins the team. Moreover, he can acquire new skills - for example, using a potty or dressing himself.

Reaction

According to statistics, only 1% of children, when entering kindergarten, behave as if nothing has changed in their lives. Everyone else has certain reactions depending on which area is their weak link. There are different types of adaptation, and each of them has to be dealt with.

Physiological

Adaptation of a small organism to changed conditions: a new daily routine (which absolutely cannot be violated), different food, infectious attacks on the immune system (someone came with a runny nose - the next day the whole group fell ill). Therefore, during the adaptation period, reactions such as:

sleep disorders;
decreased appetite and, accordingly, weight loss;
susceptibility to infections, weakened immunity (gets sick almost every week);
exacerbation of chronic diseases, if any;
For some, their body temperature (even in the absence of viruses and infections) and blood pressure begin to fluctuate, and their heart rate increases.

To reduce stress in the body, parents should: 2-3 months before kindergarten, find out the daily routine and menu in the group, and repeat them at home as much as possible. Arrange breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack at the same time, put them down for a nap and wake them up at a certain moment. Porridge, soups, compotes - you need to get used to all this in advance, otherwise whims about food will infuriate everyone around you.

You also need to take time to strengthen your immune system. Contact your local pediatrician. Now there are many herbal, vitamin and interferon preparations developed specifically for children 2-3 years old.

Psychological

The most difficult thing is psychological adaptation. The child doesn’t really understand why he needs to go to kindergarten every morning and say goodbye to his mother. It seems to most that they stopped loving them and simply gave them away, since mom and dad no longer need them. Against the background of such a disorder, a phobia begins that they will not be picked up in the evening, they will not come for them and they will be left alone. As a result, all these experiences can result in reactions such as:

hysteria, nervousness, irritability, moodiness;
tearfulness - they can cry even for no reason, not being able to explain their condition);
aggressiveness (either towards everyone, or only towards parents);
apathy, indifference, lack of initiative, lethargy, or vice versa - excessive excitement;
stubbornness;
constantly in a bad mood.

In such cases, there is only one prescription for medicine - more attention and care + explanatory conversations about why the kindergarten even exists and why it is so necessary to go to it every day.

Social

For some children, this type of adaptation even acts as an assistant to some extent. If they are active and sociable, they forget themselves when playing with others and do not feel lonely and abandoned. But the majority still get lost in such a stream of kids. What consequences should you be prepared for:

they refuse to go to kindergarten because “Maryivanna is evil, and Vasya takes away his toys”;
adopting deviant behavior patterns from others (they start biting, spitting, calling names) and bad words;
increased sense of ownership and greed, even if you were kind before;
formation of complexes, low self-esteem;
withdrawal into oneself, the appearance of autistic traits.

In this case, all efforts should be devoted to developing communication skills. Perhaps sign up for several sessions with a psychotherapist. Group and family trainings work real miracles in this regard.

Cognitive

In kindergarten, the child will have developmental activities that he may not be able to cope with. The reasons are very different: low IQ, physical defects, lack of understanding of the requirements, lack of necessary skills and much more. As a result, you can’t do the most basic things: draw a sun, make a flower, learn a poem. Due to such failures, reactions can be quite disastrous:

regression of skills acquired earlier: a child who speaks clearly enough, knows how to use a spoon and dress himself, go to the potty, refuses to reproduce such actions;
decreased cognitive interest: refuses to play, study, do something, explaining that he simply “doesn’t want to.”

If it was cognitive adaptation that caused the difficulties, parents should not let such reactions take their course. You need to talk to a teacher or psychologist. Find out the reasons why this happens. Work to eliminate identified factors and stimulate interest in classes. If you start these reactions at this stage, then at school a lot of problems with mastering educational material will arise.

With the world on a thread. Spain. In Spanish kindergartens, children are accepted starting from the age of 3. Everyone who is already 6 years old should go to the last, senior group, as this is considered a compulsory preparatory stage for primary school. If someone misses this “zero” grade, parents are held accountable.

How to adapt a child to kindergarten? 6 useful skills for a kindergartener

In order for the process of adaptation to be as successful as possible, quickly and painlessly, experts advise instilling the most important skills in the future preschooler in advance. That is why parents should know what it is advisable to teach a child going to a preschool educational institution.

Dress and undress independently. Ideally, three-year-olds should already take off their swimming trunks, socks, tights, and put on a T-shirt and blouse or jacket. There may be difficulties with fasteners, but you should still get used to them. To do this, you can buy lacing toys. In addition, hang pictures in the room with the dressing sequence (they can be downloaded for free on the Internet).
Use a spoon/fork. The ability to use cutlery makes it easier to get used to. To do this, you need to give up sippy cups, bottles, sippy cups, which do not contribute to rapid growth.
Ask and go to the potty. You should get rid of diapers already at the age of one and a half years, especially since the ability to ask and go to bed will significantly simplify adaptation, since the child will feel more confident among skilled peers.
Accept different foods. Many three-year-olds are characterized by selectivity in food. Ideally, parents should bring the home menu closer to the kindergarten menu. Then breakfasts and lunches at preschool educational institutions will not resemble a war between children and teachers.
Communicate with adults. Quite often you can hear a child’s peculiar speech, which only the mother can understand. Some kids generally communicate with gestures, rightly believing that their parents will understand everything. Before kindergarten, you should monitor the decrease in babbling words and gestures.
Play with children. To improve a child’s communication skills, it is necessary to include him in the children’s group more often. Psychologists advise regularly visiting families with small children, walking on playgrounds, and playing in the sandbox.

In nurseries and kindergartens there are special adaptation groups for future preschoolers. Be sure to find out if such a service is available at your preschool educational institution. Visiting such groups will allow your child to become acquainted with the teachers, the building itself, and new rules of behavior.

Useful skills for a kindergartener

How to make it easier for a child to adapt to kindergarten? One of the most important points is independence in as many areas of his life as possible. The more the baby can do, the easier it will be in the garden for both him and the teachers.

Dress and undress independently, at least partially. If a child is taught to do this with minimal help, then he will not have to sit and wait until he is changed, no one will scold him for lack of independence, he will learn to take responsibility for his things.
Eat on your own. The child must master the ability to hold a spoon and bring food to his mouth before he goes to kindergarten. Otherwise, he risks remaining hungry throughout the day or he will have to wait until his turn comes and he is fed.
Refusal of diapers. It’s good if, before entering kindergarten, the baby can use some word to inform adults about his need to go to the toilet. In this case, he will have a minimum of wet pants in his locker when his parents arrive.
Interact with children and adults. Don’t be afraid of anyone, don’t offend anyone, be able to negotiate on a simple level. Communication in kindergarten is inevitable, and in the absence of skills, serious problems with communication and adaptation arise.
There are different foods. It is difficult for those children who are accustomed to eating only pureed food or semi-finished products to get used to kindergarten food.

Advice from a psychologist: 6 conversations about kindergarten

Recommendations for parents on how to adapt their children often include advice to talk more with their child about preschool. But how to do this correctly and what should you talk about with your baby to make future adaptation easier?

Explain in as simple a language as possible what a kindergarten is, why children go there, and why it is so important to attend it. The simplest example: “A kindergarten is a big house for kids who eat, play and walk together while their parents work.”
Tell your child that kindergarten is a kind of work for children. That is, mom works as a teacher, doctor, manager, dad works as a military man, programmer, etc., and the baby will “work” as a preschooler, because he has become quite an adult.
Every time you pass by the kindergarten, do not forget to remind that after a while the child will also be able to come here and play with other children. In his presence, you can also tell your interlocutors how proud you are of your newly-made preschooler.
Talk about the daycare routine to relieve fears and uncertainty. The child may not remember everything due to his age, but he will know that after breakfast there will be games, then walks and a short nap.
Don’t forget to talk about who your child can turn to if he suddenly needs water or needs to go to the toilet. In addition, gently clarify that not all requests will be fulfilled instantly, since it is important for educators to keep track of all children at once.
Share your story of attending preschool. Surely you have photographs from matinees, where you recite poems, play with dolls, go home from kindergarten with your parents, etc. A parent's example allows the child to quickly get used to kindergarten.

There is no need to over-praise kindergarten, painting it in completely rosy colors, otherwise the child will be disappointed in the teacher and classmates. At the same time, you cannot scare him with a preschool institution and a teacher who will “show him how to behave well!” Try to maintain a golden mean.

Classes for children to prepare for kindergarten

Role-playing games and listening to fairy tales are favorite pastimes for young children. Therefore, advice from a psychologist often includes items such as activities and fairy tales for successful adaptation to kindergarten. The purpose of such games is to familiarize the child with the regime and rules of kindergarten in a relaxed manner.

Enlist the “support” of children’s toys – dolls, teddy bears. Let your favorite plastic friend become a teacher, and the teddy bear and robot become kindergarteners who are just attending preschool.

Moreover, classes should be repeated almost the entire day of the future preschooler. That is, the teddy bear came to the kindergarten, said hello to the aunt-teacher, kissed mommy goodbye and began to play with the other children. Then he had breakfast and began to study.

If a child has difficulty parting with his mother, special emphasis should be placed on this particular moment. To do this, it is better to use special fairy tales for quick adaptation in kindergarten, in which, for example, a kitten stops crying after the mother leaves and begins to play happily with other animals.

Another opportunity to make adaptation to kindergarten easier is to use available tools: presentations, cartoons and a collection of poems about kindergarten. Such useful innovative materials adapt children no worse, and sometimes better, than ordinary stories.

Recommendations for parents on how to make separation from their baby easier

Usually, by the age of three, children quite easily let go of their mothers and other significant adults, since, as we have already noted, at this stage there is a natural desire to be independent, independent of their parents.

And yet there are situations when the baby and mother turn into almost a single organism. Because of this, a child’s adaptation in kindergarten can become significantly more difficult, and the likelihood of complete maladaptation also increases.

Ideally, it is necessary to accustom the baby to parental absence consistently and in advance. And yet, it is possible to reduce the psycho-emotional dependence of children on their mother in a short time. Let's consider basic advice to parents from experienced specialists.

Necessary actions

Try to involve the father and other close relatives in interaction with the child. The more the baby has contact with other adults (and not just the mother), the easier it will be for him to get used to the teacher.
After this, introduce your child to your friends. At first, they play with the baby in the presence of his parents, so that he can feel calm around unfamiliar adults. With an adapted child, it will be easier to leave.
The next stage is going outside. You need to explain to the baby that mom will go to the store while grandma or an aunt she knows tells an interesting fairy tale. In this case, you do not need to ask the child for time off, just let him know.
Consistently teach your child the idea that he needs to be alone in the room. You can prepare lunch while your child plays in the nursery. These rules can then be applied during exercise in the sandbox or on a walk.
Do not call your child shy, beech, roaring, crybaby, ponytail and other unpleasant words. On the contrary, tell him and others as often as possible how communicative, sociable and cheerful he is.

Unnecessary actions

You cannot run away from your child in secret, even if at that moment he is sitting with his grandmother. Having discovered that his mother is missing, he, firstly, will be seriously frightened, and secondly, he will begin to cry and scream the next time his parents try to leave.
It is not recommended to leave a child alone in an apartment, especially if he is characterized by increased anxiety and restlessness. In addition, even in a few minutes, small children are able to find “adventures” even in the safest home.
You should not reward your child with treats and toys because he allows you to go away. If this is practiced, then the child will demand financial rewards literally every day even in kindergarten.

You can come up with some rituals that make breaking up easier. Just don’t turn them into a full-fledged ritual, more reminiscent of a celebration or holiday. This could be a regular kiss, a mutual smile or a handshake.

What should a teacher do?

Many educators are faced with a situation where a new child cries a lot and refuses to go for walks or eat. It is very important to avoid extremes. There was a case when a three-year-old girl attending a private kindergarten sat all the time on the sofa, which served as a kind of safe zone for her, and cried. The teacher, trying to calm the child, began to spend most of his time with him. As a result, the girl followed the teacher, still refusing to play and engage in activities with her peers.

Psychologists recommend gradually including a new student in the game. If the baby is crying, you can invite him to go to the window and “look out” for his mother on the street. You can ask your baby simple questions about mom: what kind of hair she has, what kind of eyes she has, what color her clothes are. Gradually you need to switch the child’s attention to yourself: “What kind of hair do I have?” and on other children.

You cannot force a child to play, sleep or eat. But you can’t “forget” about him, hoping that he will “cry and calm down.”

Consultation for parents from Dr. Komarovsky

Attending a preschool institution is the most important condition for the full development of a child. How to make this period easier? You can listen to the opinions of famous experts - teachers, psychologists and pediatricians. Komarovsky talks a lot and often about the features of successful adaptation to kindergarten. Let's find out the main recommendations of the popular TV doctor:

start visiting kindergarten at a time when the mother has not yet gone to work. If a child suddenly catches a cold, the parent will be able to pick him up from the preschool educational institution and stay at home with him for one or two weeks;
It is best to adapt children to kindergarten in certain seasons - summer and winter. But the off-season is not the best period to start visiting kindergarten, since the likelihood of catching a cold increases;
Information about how adaptation takes place in a particular kindergarten will not be superfluous. Perhaps caregivers practice force-feeding or over-bundle babies on walks.

In order for accelerated adaptation to occur in kindergarten, Komarovsky advises adhering to some important recommendations:

reduce the requirements for the child in the initial stages of getting used to the preschool institution. Even if he behaves badly, you need to show leniency;
Be sure to prepare your child to expand social contacts through more frequent and longer walks and games in the sandbox.
Be sure to improve your immunity. If the body’s defense system improves, the child will get sick less, therefore, the addiction will go much faster.

The teledoctor does not exclude the occurrence of certain problems in the process of adaptation, however, one should not refuse the opportunity to accustom a child to kindergarten at 4 years old. It is best to take a responsible approach to the adaptation period and support the baby in every possible way.

How to help a child adapt?

Rules for successful adaptation

Rule 1. Get to know the kindergarten staff, daily routine and living conditions in advance.
Rule 2. The child’s adaptation to kindergarten should occur either in the summer or in the winter to reduce the risk of infectious diseases.
Rule 3. Vaccinations, medical examinations and other visits to doctors must be strictly before the child enters kindergarten.
Rule 4. In the first days, the child must stay in kindergarten for 1-2 hours. It’s good if this time coincides with a morning walk.
Rule 5. The child’s time in the group should be increased gradually, taking into account the teacher’s recommendations.
Rule 6. If a child is sick, mom or dad needs to stay home with him.
Rule 7. Parents must warn the teacher about all the peculiarities of the child’s behavior, his habits and inclinations.
Rule 8. When taking your baby home, be sure to ask the teacher how the child behaved during the day.

By following all these rules, parents greatly facilitate the child’s adaptation period in kindergarten.

Psychologist's advice

Your child needs to be prepared for kindergarten in advance.

Show your child the building, the windows of the group where he will be, and the area for walking. Meet the teachers. It’s not bad if the child learns their names before the first visit. Draw your son or daughter's attention to the fact that parents take all children home in the evening; no one stays overnight.

The more a child knows about the rules of behavior in a child care facility, the easier the adaptation period will be for him.

The famous Moscow teacher Tatyana Vladimirovna Ostrovskaya invites parents to play a game with their children called “Kindergarten for Animals” before visiting kindergarten. You can use soft toys, dolls, construction sets. The child, together with mom and dad, creates various play situations: “Coming to kindergarten”, “Farewell to mom”, “Breakfast”, “Walk”, “Quiet hour” and others. Thus, the child gets acquainted with what awaits him in kindergarten in a homely atmosphere.

A child’s ability to successfully adapt largely depends on the psychological attitude of the parents.

The calmer mom and dad are about their child’s visit to preschool, the more confident the child feels in an unfamiliar group.

Don't forget to develop the necessary self-care skills. Try to give your baby more independence, even in things that he doesn’t yet know how to do.
Pay attention to developing your child’s communication skills.

He must be able to communicate not only with children, but also with adults. Practice your communication skills when visiting, on the playground, or when visiting relatives.

The home menu, as well as the regime, should be as close as possible to the garden. Even during weekends and holidays.
Be friendly and polite to teachers. After all, these are the people to whom you trust the most valuable thing - your child. And not only you, but 20 other moms and dads like you.
During the adaptation period, the child should not have any additional stress, such as moving, parental divorce, or the birth of a second child. Try to provide a calm family environment.
Be calmer about illnesses after visiting kindergarten.

During the adaptation period, the child’s sensitivity to all environmental influences increases. Plus, the body cannot always cope with the mental load. “Going into illness” is a protective reaction of the body, both children and adults. The sick child remains in his home, familiar environment. This will continue until he feels safe and comfortable not only at home, but also in kindergarten.

There are special therapeutic fairy tales that help the baby ease his adaptation to kindergarten. Read them at night and discuss them with your child. It will also be useful to watch cartoons, look at illustrations and photographs of mom and dad from kindergarten.
Do not forget that after a long break (for example, due to illness), the child’s adaptation process begins anew. This means that problems such as painful separation from mom, tears, hysterics and reluctance to go to kindergarten return.
Use modern technologies to calm your anxiety and find out how your child has settled into a new place, whether his peers are bullying him, and whether his teachers are behaving correctly. Buy a GPS watch for your child (they are available even for the youngest) and install the “Where are my children” application on your smartphone. With this kit, you can instantly contact your child and listen to what is happening around him in kindergarten while you are not around. When purchasing a children's smartwatch on the official website, the “Where are my children” license comes as a gift!
If you are concerned about strong changes in your child’s behavior associated with the adaptation period, seek help from a psychologist.

What is not recommended to do during the adaptation period?

Sit in the locker room while the child is in the group.
Leaving secretly without saying goodbye to the child.
Scold and punish for not wanting to stay in kindergarten.
Leaving the child for the whole day after a long break.
Speak negatively about teachers and preschool institutions.
Deceive the child: say that you will pick him up soon if you yourself plan to leave your son or daughter until the evening.
Bringing a sick child to kindergarten.
“Bribe” the child with sweets and toys for his stay in the nursery.

What to do if adaptation to kindergarten has already begun?

So, the baby has already started going to preschool, but you simply shouldn’t wait for the end of the habituation. Successful adaptation of a child in kindergarten, advice on which is given by psychologists and doctors, lies in the active position of parents. How can you help your child?

You should not immediately send your child away for the whole day. It is best to make a gradual transition from the usual regime to changed conditions, that is, send the baby first for a couple of hours, and only then increase the length of stay in kindergarten.
Be sure to show sincere interest in what your child did at the preschool. If he has molded, drawn, or glued something, you should praise him and put the craft on the shelf.
Study any information provided by the teacher or psychologist of the preschool institution. Usually the group sets up a folder called “Child Adaptation in Kindergarten.”
You should also communicate more often with teachers who regularly fill out an adaptation sheet, a special kindergarten visit form, and a psychologist fills out a card for each child in the nursery group.
Don’t worry too much if your child seems tired or haggard after kindergarten. Of course, strangers and new acquaintances are a serious stress for a child’s body. Let the baby rest and get some sleep.
In order for children to adapt quickly, it is necessary to limit increased emotional stress. Psychologists advise against attending mass entertainment; cartoons and viewing of various images, videos should also be limited.
If the baby has certain psycho-emotional or physiological characteristics (hyperactive behavior, health problems), the teaching and medical team must be informed about this.
Tears and hysterics are a “presentation” designed for mom. This is why experts advise fathers to accompany their child to kindergarten, since the stronger sex usually reacts more strictly to such manipulative behavior.

Provide your child with a calm family environment during the adaptation process. Express your affection to your new preschooler in every possible way: kiss, hug, etc.

Adaptation period

There are several degrees of child adaptation in kindergarten.

Mild degree

Usually lasts up to a week. This is a fairly short period, characterized by the baby’s poor sleep, loss of appetite, and reluctance to play with other babies. Gradually everything returns to normal, complete adaptation to the new conditions begins. By the end of the first week, appetite returns to its previous level, and sleep patterns take a little longer to recover. Speech inhibition may occur. Usually this degree of adaptation is not accompanied by sudden illnesses.

Average degree

Lasts from a week to a month. The baby’s emotional state returns to normal more slowly than with a mild form. In the first month, illnesses begin to appear: usually in the form of acute respiratory infections. The disease lasts about a week and ends without complications. It takes a month or a little more to restore your appetite. The emotional background is unstable, the mood often changes. During the day there is tearfulness. In relationships with close people, the child is emotionally excited: when parting and meeting, he cries or screams. The attitude towards peers is often indifferent, but they can also show interest. Speech activity slows down.

Characteristic external manifestations:

red cheeks or paleness;
dark circles under the eyes;
sweating;
diathesis.

These symptoms last for about 2 weeks. Feeling the emotional support of a loved one, the child begins to show cognitive activity and adapts faster.

Severe degree

The most difficult degree of adaptation of a child is in kindergarten, lasting 1-2 months (or more). The baby's emotional state is recovering very slowly. A preschooler can suffer from several diseases that come with complications.

Severe degree is characterized by persistent behavioral disturbances:

Sleep is intermittent, restless.
The baby may wake up crying or scream in his sleep.
Appetite practically disappears - sometimes to the point of refusing to eat.
Neurotic vomiting is possible.

The child consciously and unconsciously tries to get out of the situation, and all his emotions are directed towards this: screaming, crying, aggression. An active motor process or lack of activity may be observed with obvious negative emotions (depression, passive submission, quiet crying, tension). The child tries to avoid his peers and may become aggressive. Refuses to play games.

Memo for parents: child adaptation in kindergarten and basic mistakes

So, the basic rules for improving children’s adaptation to preschool have been described. However, none of the parents is immune from erroneous actions. That is why it is necessary to dwell in more detail on the most common misconceptions:

comparison with other kids. We all adapt differently. That’s why you shouldn’t compare your child with his peers, who get used to the children’s team and teacher much faster;
deception. There is no need to promise your child that you will pick him up in an hour if you plan to return only in the evening. Such parental promises will lead to the baby feeling betrayed;
punishment by kindergarten. You should not punish a child with a longer stay in a preschool institution if he is used to being in a preschool institution for only a few hours. This will only lead to increased dislike for the kindergarten;
“bribe” with sweets and toys. Some mothers and fathers bribe their children to behave well in preschool. As a result, the child will further blackmail adults, demanding gifts from them every day;
sending a sick child to kindergarten. During the adaptation period, any cold can unsettle a child for a long time, so if you feel unwell, you should not take your preschooler to kindergarten, otherwise there is a risk of increasing the symptoms of the disease.

Another common parental mistake is the disappearance of the mother, who does not want to distract the child from toys or children. Such behavior, as we have already said, will only lead to increased anxiety in the baby and numerous fears. Increased hysterics are possible.

Erroneous actions to adapt a child to kindergarten: a reminder to parents

Sometimes mothers and fathers, trying to help their baby, make mistakes that make adaptation to kindergarten difficult. What should you not do during this difficult period?

Compare your child with others, especially out loud. All children have different levels of adaptation to kindergarten. Some calmly part with their parents and play, others cry, not wanting to let them go. Both options are normal, so there is no point in comparing. This can only cause offense to the child.
Deceive. According to the recommendations of psychologists, during the period of adaptation to kindergarten, you should not tell the child, when saying goodbye, that mom is only going to the store for 5 minutes, and will return if you plan to leave him for a longer time. In this case, the parents undermine the child’s trust; he feels betrayed.
Punish in kindergarten by leaving them there for a longer time for any offense. In this case, love for kindergarten will only weaken. Instructions for parents on adaptation usually advise, on the contrary, to say only good things about the institution and convince the child that only the most wonderful children go there.
Bribe with material objects: toys or something tasty for the baby to stay in the garden. There is a risk that in the future the child will blackmail his parents, demanding reinforcement from them every day.