| Ginny,
we just went thru that same experience in January with Nicholas. Right
after Christmas break, they began bringing him into the Toddler room
each day, for just an hour at first, but gradually increasing the
amount of time spent there. Things went so well that they decided to
accelerate the schedule and, after just a week of 'visits', we began
going directly to the toddler room upon our arrival...that's when it
hit the proverbial fan! Nick began pitching a fit, crying and clinging
and going thru severe seperation anxiety. (Can't say that I could blame
him...he went from starting off his day in the nice, soft, mellow
infant room, where the pace and the atmosphere was soothing and
relaxing, to being in the TODDLER ROOM, WHERE EVERYTHING WAS LOUDER AND
BUSIER AND BIGGER AND BRIGHTER AND DIFFERENT!!! Even *I* took some time
to get used to the atmosphere, and often found myself retreating to the
comfort of the infant room after dropping off Nick and listening to him
cry and cry and cry...)
The teachers said this was not an unusual reaction: some infants
transitioned well and quickly; others had a harder time for a longer while.
We also resorted to having Kathy bring him in on their days off (she
works part time, so Nick's only there 3 days/week); that experiment
seemed to help, but wasn't a magic wand...he still had a difficult
time, although he did begin showing improvement.
It's often harder on the parents than the kids, since they seem to
bounce back in a matter of minutes, while you spend the day feeling
guilty...Also, to help me deal with it, they'd call me later in the
morning to let me know that he settled down usually right after I
left!!!
All-in-all, we all went thru hell for about 2 or 3 weeks before he
finally settled in. Now, 2 months later, you should see him when we
pull into the parking lot: he can't get to the room quick enough! and
he sometimes doesn't even want to leave when I go to pick him up!
Talk to the teachers and put your trust in them. They deal with the
situation many times during the year, and probably have a good handle
on helping you deal with the situation.
Like many other problems, this, too, shall pass. Good luck, and keep
the faith!
Freddie
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| We, too, went through this a few months back and had some difficulties.
Some things that helped are:
-we let Josh take a familar toy from baby room to the toddlers
-the attendant from the baby room stayed in the toddler room
with Josh for his many mini-visits at first to comfort and soothe
him (she was able to do this while the smaller babies were sleeping
and the other ladies stayed in with them)
-we continued to point out how big he was and the differences between
him and the babies (no more bottles, etc.)
-Josh was moved with a little girl who had been in the baby room
with him since they first started at day care (4 months old) which
is always the policy at our daycare--the kids are always moved
pairs
Good luck and just remember that soon you'll be feeling bad because
they want to spend all their time at daycare--Josh cries now when
it is time to go home where months ago he pitched major fits when
I left him in the morning.
Pam
|
|
I'll be going through this soon. Courtenay will be 15 months in June
and I believe that they will start to transition her around then. The
day care she is in usually transitions the children at 15 months, but
there are three children they will be transitioning this summer and
they want to take it slow. They were thinking of making all three move
together but figured it would be better for all if one made the move at
a time.
Right now Courtenay may spend a few minutes in the young toddler room
in the morning, if we get there early enough. She loves it there now!
If I drop her off there, she hardly looks back to wave bye. She loves
the action of the older kids (3-5), who are sometimes in the room also,
depending on the time I drop her off. Hopefully she will still love
it when it happens everyday. I'll know more later this summer.
I'll keep this note in mind just in case I need it.
Rose Marie
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