Good Afternoon!
Changes or transitions can bring about big emotions. Even if children aren’t verbally relaying these uncertain feelings, this doesn’t mean they’re not struggling through a time of change and transition.
Something as simple as a friend leaving the environment can affect children at this age. Summer often brings about a lot of change in our environment: friends taking vacations, children graduating and moving on, or simply a change in their own schedule (i.e., late mornings).
There are several things that we can do to make sure that we support children in this phase:
- Keep our expectations the same. This provides stability in their regular day to day.
- ALWAYS be open to talk. Often times, all children need to do is vent and share their feelings. Even though this may not solve the problem, this offers children an outlet for venting!
- Realize that children fell things just as big as adults do, sometimes even more so. Never dismiss children’s feelings but acknowledge their feelings at the time and offer a way to express those feelings (i.e., drawing a book about them, writing it out, acting it out)
I’ve attached an article that goes into some detail about transitions and how this can affect children in several different aspects of their day and development.
https://extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare/early-care/tip-pages/all/understanding-transitions
Breakfast– Quaker Oatmeal Squares and fresh strawberries.
Lunch– Brown rice with shredded chicken, fresh cantaloupe, and fresh cucumber/carrots.
PM snack– Thin Wheats and pumpkin seeds.
Wee Sprout– Fresh carrots/cucumber.
Have a lovely night.
-Mindy
Link to pictures: WF 6/6
