Starting next week, doors of our children's centers will open again. Due to the corona crisis and the associated measures, an exciting period for us, but especially for the children. Some children will have missed contact with peers and are happy that they can come and play with their friends again. Other children will find it exciting and may find it difficult to say goodbye after this long period at home. Whatever it is, the pedagogical staff will do everything they can to make your children feel safe and familiar again.
Young children are generally very flexible, because they live in the “now” more than us adults. Not always handy if you just see a rain shower on the way home and your toddler has just discovered a snail, but how special is it to see how a child can marvel at something so simple without worrying about the upcoming downpour? The advantage that children are guided by the moment itself has the advantage that most of them will quickly get used to the new or old rhythm. But as a parent you can certainly support the child by preparing him or her for the upcoming period.
Older children can of course mainly be prepared for the coming time by talking to them about it. Tell them that they will soon be able to play again at (for example) the Kindervlinder and who they will meet there and where they can play with me. But also tell them that daddy or mommy will take them away and only come to pick them up later. You can prepare the younger children by taking some time in the coming days to watch the videos and the messages (again) that the pedagogical employees have sent you over the past period. By also regularly naming the names of the permanent pedagogical employees and perhaps also friends of the group, they become part of the child's experience again. You can of course use the photos from the parent portal, but you can also cycle past this week and take a look inside through the window. If you want to go a step further, you can also choose to play out the farewell ritual with, for example, your child's stuffed animals. Young children often love this kind of role play and it is useful for you to playfully discuss your child's emotions in this situation.
Finally, I would like to say that I have seen from a distance that the pedagogical employees have committed themselves with heart and soul to stay connected with your children. Do you now want to help them to share as much information about your children with them as possible via the parent portal?
Thank you in advance!
Sanne Bakker- Killestijn (pedagogical employee and coach Oegstgeest-Midden)
