Leaving Your Child at Kindy Orientation
When you drop your children at Kindy there will be an initial introduction and welcome, and then staff will interact with the students, and make some observations regarding behaviour, oral language, and social confidence. Please feel free to head over to the Padbury Shopping Centre and grab a coffee at the café ‘Alex Junior’ during the orientation session. This is a great opportunity to get to know some of the other parents. If you are not coming into the classroom, we ask you do not wait in the play area near the classroom where you can be seen. The school has your contact details if you are needed during the orientation session.
Parents, if your child has never been away from you before, now is a great time to start that separation process. We recommend the following gradual training program:
- Go to a separate room in your house while your child is in another room playing but can’t see you. Then come in and out of the room your child is in regularly. Gradually increase the amount of time you are out of sight.
- Do the same process as above but this time go outside, or try being further away where they can’t see you.
- Leave your child at home with a trusted adult and leave the house for a short period of time. Do this several times over a few weeks and increase how long you are away each time.
- Leave your child at a trusted adult’s house for a short period of time. Gradually extend the time you are away.
- Allow your child to sleep over at a trusted adult’s house.
Tips and Tricks
- Always tell your child you are leaving before you are about to leave and when you will be back. Then leave. Stick to your promises and don’t be late to return.
- Grandparents are the best people to leave children with because they are there to have fun with them!
- Children will often start to cry or cling to parents when they leave. This can be a normal reaction for many children when they first leave their parents. The key is to make a swift exit, not hang around or try to console them. Most children will stop crying within 30 secs of you leaving. For the person looking after them, they key is to divert/distract their attention to something fun or something they like to play with.
- Do not negotiate with small children or try to convince them they will be fine when they are crying. It will not work!
- The following free online parent workshop assist parents to navigate challenging situations with children, including anxiety. Online parenting course – help kids overcome anxiety | Triple P (triplep-parenting.net.au)
- The following websites have great information on separation anxiety for parents:
If you have serious concerns about your child and separation anxiety, please let your child’s class teacher know and seek support early from allied health professionals.
The Importance of Routines for Children
Families can help their children develop independence in getting ready to school in the morning and getting ready for bed in the evening by establishing visual routines. Children of kindergarten age need around 10-12 hours of sleep at night and establishing a bedtime routine two or more weeks before school starts will help your child adjust to the bedtime and getting up time they will need once they start school.
A positive bedtime routine for toddlers and young children helps to soothe and clam your child so they’re ready for sleep. It might start around 20 mins before your child’s bedtime and include:
- Pre-bed tasks, like having a bath and brushing teeth.
- Quiet, enjoyable activities with you, like reading or listening to a story.
Here’s an example of a bedtime routine that could start after dinner and a bath:
- Your child plays quietly for 15-20mins – for example, playing with toys, playing as game with you or listening to music.
- You and your child share a story. This might happen in a comfortable chair somewhere quiet, or you could put your child to bed and read in bed with them.
- If your child isn’t already in bed, you put your child to bed.
- You and your child have a cuddle and a kiss goodnight.
- When the routine is finished, you let your child know that it’s time for sleep. This means no more stories or talking, say goodnight to your child, turn out the light/put on a nightlight and leave the room.
- It’s a good idea to keep your child’s bedtime routine and bedtime at around the same time each night. This will also help your child feel ready for sleep.
It can take a few weeks, but a positive bedtime routine will improve settling problems, decrease the number of times your child calls out to you at night, lead to better parent-child relationships and a happier child who is ready to learn at school.
There should be no electronic devices kept in bedrooms and no screen time at least 2 hours before bed.
Perfecting Your Child’s Bedtime Routine | Sleep Foundation
Bedtime routines: babies, children & teens | Raising Children Network
6 Steps to Create a Morning Routine for Your Kids (with Templates) (developgoodhabits.com)
Morning routine for school: practical tips | Raising Children Network
Using the Toilet
Most children learn to use the toilet, though it may take some children longer than others. Children should be toilet trained before starting school. A good way to teach toilet training is to break it down into steps.
Toilet training should start when your child is 2-years old. The following booklet provides an easy 4 step guide to toilet training.
Easy Guide to Toilet Training | Continence Foundation of Australia
Toilet training (healthywa.wa.gov.au)
For concerns with toileting or if you have any questions about your child’s toileting, you can contact the Continence and Enuresis Service at PCH by phone or email.
pch.enuresiscontinence@health.wa.gov.au
Continence and Enuresis Service (health.wa.gov.au)