“Nanny Roundtable” is a monthly event in CincyNanny Community for us to have some pro-active conversation and resource sharing! Nanny Lindsey returned from the International Nanny Association conference with the desire to create an informal time to chat over coffee or dinner about the issues and questions we face daily. Roundtable happens each last Tuesday of the month, check the calendar on cincynanny.com for more info.
We will share the notes here on the blog for those that cannot make it in person.
Keys to Routine and Transitions
Tues., August 31, 2010
By: Lindsey Kanis
Transition:
Why kids need smooth transitions:
-Children often gauge situations against the things that they know. Therefore, change can be startling to them. A transition prepares them for the change by showing them what to expect and how it will effect them. (NAEYC)
-Example: Johnny’s family is moving to a new house. If Johnny is told about the changes to expect like a new room, and a different backyard, he will be mentally and emotionally prepared for the changes. If Johnny is shown or visits the new house, his new room and the yard he will know more about the changes. It may even evoke his own questions and concerns to consider and discuss.
Adults need transition:
-Many adults say that they are constantly refocussing and reassessing career and personal goals and aspirations. And a good portion are motivated to do so more in the fall when their children begin school and sports.(Montreal Gazette)
-Adults use to do lists, calendars and meetings with colleagues or mentors to transition within their lives and careers.
Elements of a successful smooth transition:
-Get involved. Take the child to their new school a few times. show them where they will be dropped off in the morning and where you will pick them up after snack. (Notice the references to the points in the child’s routine) Tell them about anyone they will know in their class and all about their teachers. Most schools promote meeting teachers and fellow students before school starts.
-Plenty of time. Allow for enough time for children to mentally and physically prepare. Talk about a change weeks before it happens. It might be a good idea for older children to count down on a weekly or monthly calendar.
-Discussion. It might feel like a lot of talking… but kids really are listening. Ask them open questions and allow them to help come up with their own as well. This will help them to develop feelings about the transition and do some critical thinking on the topics.
-Make the transition fun! Label supplies and make a game of preparing for school. Allow the child to make choices in their outfits each night before school. Send little notes or treats for encouragement in backpacks.
-Celebrate! Make goals for children based on upcoming changes or situations as well as their age and abilities. Show children what they have done, how they have grown or changed. (ex: Now you are in a big boy bed and you don’t need your passie anymore! You are such a big boy!)
Where/when do you make transitions with your children?
Where/when could you improve or create transitions with your children?
Where/when do you personally use or need transition?
Routine:
Why kids respond to routine:
-Routines become predictable, providing consistency and allowing a child to know what is coming next and to thus be comfortable and perhaps even feel like they have some control, or gauge on a situation.(NAEYC)
-Children respond to structure and routines because consistency enables them to feel safe, secure and in control. (Child Care Lounge)
-Adults use a watch or a calendar but children have no way to tell time. They only know time in orders of events. If they have a routine that is consistent, they know what is next and at what point they are in the day.
How to establish a routine:
-Make sure children understand why they do certain things in the routine. Example- brushing teeth before story time and then bed. That way they aren’t just doing tasks in a certain order because you said so, they are doing each thing for a reason. We brush our teeth before bed to wash away all of the sugar bugs from our food today so we don’t get a cavity!
-Give children jobs and responsibilities. They will have a sense of control and accomplishment in helping complete a goal. Example: put shoes on and get your back pack out for school today=get to bus stop on time to play with friends.
Get involved:
-Make defined spaces for a child’s homework and learning activities. Give each child a hook for jackets, backpacks etc. Make a space just for them to display school work and artwork.
-Have the child help make a calendar or agenda of a routine and keep it on the refrigerator. Similar lists can be kept on bathroom mirrors or bedroom doors.
-Know your children. Know what works for them and what they respond to. If your child isn’t interested then a routine is less successful. (Child Care Lounge)
-Its alright to adjust a routine as needed.
What routines do you use in your own day?
What routines do your children use?
Can you think of a new routine for your children to implement into the day?
How do you maintain routines? How do you children respond to changes in a routine?
Sources:
-Montreal Gazette: http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Make+transition+from+summer+school+easier/3441091/story.html
-National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC]
*specific article pages 10-16 in May 2008 edition of “Journal of National Association for the Education of Young Children”:
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naeyc/youngchildren_200805/index.php
-Child Care Lounge
http://www.childcarelounge.com/articles/smooth.htm
A big thanks to Lindsey for your research and leadership! Our next Nanny Roundtable is Sept., 28th, 7-8 pm. at the Panera in Hyde Park. We hope to see you there!
