Did your child cry hot tears when dropping him off at nursery school? This first return to school may seem painful, but it shouldn’t last. Our advice to help him get through this and reassure him in the coming days.
This first day of kindergarten is a major event in the lives of toddlers. This important step can seem daunting for children, who often cry hot tears when their parents leave them in class with their little friends, whom they do not yet know. “Lenny couldn’t stop crying when I left him this morning. We had prepared him by explaining that he was going to go back to school, like his big brothers, but he was inconsolable, and we had to leave“Sarah tells us.
As a general rule, even if some are more comfortable than others, most little kindergarteners cry on the first day (especially in the first year). 1,2,3… 10? You don’t remember (because you were too busy consoling yours), but it’s very likely that half of his classmates were crying too this morning! Besides, this must not have escaped yours, who could have simply been taken by this morning’s emotional overflow.
Furthermore, whatever type of childcare the child has had in the past year (nanny, nursery or childminder), it is normal for him/her to be torn between several feelings: the excitement of becoming “big”, but also the apprehension of finding themselves in a group, in an unfamiliar place and among faces they have never seen. Parental stress can also make children anxious on the first day of school. Don’t forget that children perceive all your mood swings. Maybe despite appearances, you were a little (or just a little) anxious this morning, especially at the time of separation. And he/she may have felt this and become anxious in turn… For you too, it is a stage. Your child is growing up and it is normal for this to affect you. So, for tomorrow morning, take a deep breath so as not to communicate your stress.
To reassure your child the next morning, start by trusting the teacher! Crying is (also) her job. And above all, she is there to ensure the well-being of the little ones. She knows the words to reassure them by heart! For your part, do not hesitate to share your concern with her if it persists… And of course, warn her now if there have been any family changes or events that could be a source of anxiety (moving, arrival of a little brother, separation of parents, etc.).
On the evening of the start of the school year, take the time to talk with your child, to ask him to tell you about his day, highlighting the positive aspects. Did he make friends? What did he like? What activities and games did he do? Did he discover new things? … So many new things that he will be eager to experience again in the following days.
Finally, we play the “cool mom” and we don’t talk about the tears of the day before. We leave his cuddly toy or a small object that reminds him of home in his schoolbag. We give him a quick kiss (quick, we said) and we say the magic formula, namely: who is coming to pick him up and when / where you will find him in the evening. Rest assured, if you were a little mouse, you would see that he is doing very well: once the classroom door is closed, the little ones forget their sorrow, as if by magic!