Whether your child is returning to their Montessori pre-school classroom as a kindergartener or this will be their first experience in a Montessori classroom, starting a new school year or joining a new class can be intimidating, especially if your child is shy. Shyness comes in all shapes and sizes, but try these three exercises with your child to help them feel prepared for kindergarten, no matter what their type of shyness looks like. Set up your home for independence
One way to temper a child’s shyness is to foster a sense of efficacy - the feeling your child has that they are capable of taking care of their own needs and contributing to the home or classroom. When a child feels capable in these ways, they feel less fearful of new situations and how they will navigate them. Setting up your home for your child to use and navigate it independently can help with this goal, as well as reflect the prepared environment of the Montessori classroom. For example, set your child up to dress themselves, help out with chores, or make food by putting the necessary items in reach and giving them age-appropriate tools. As their capabilities grow, the idea of mastering a new circumstance - kindergarten - may feel less daunting. Experiment and make mistakes Growing up is messy, and it's important to recognize messes and mistakes are necessary and praise-worthy steps in a learning and growing process. Mistakes mean children are trying something out, and though it might not have worked, they’ve created a learning opportunity for themselves. When it is okay to experiment, make mistakes, and try again children develop their resiliency and self-esteem. You can practice this philosophy with your whole family, and help to ease all those messy transitions that childhood entails - including joining a new class or school for kindergarten. Furthermore, the Montessori elementary school curriculum is very much about trial and error as students direct their own learning. So practicing this approach at home and cultivating curiosity that is unhindered by a fear of failure is great preparation. Practice the new routine Lastly, you can prepare your child in a more concrete way by practicing their new routine. It can be helpful to talk about and run through what the evening before the school day will look like, the activities of the morning, and the after-school pickup protocol. If possible, taking a tour of the school and classroom and meeting the teacher can also help your child better visualize their new school day. Do as many first-day “dress rehearsals” as you need! Some parents also use a goodbye ritual with their child - a hug, high-five, or secret handshake and assurance you will be back in the designated spot at the end of the school day. When there are fewer unknowns, some of your child’s anxiety may transform into anticipation. Comments are closed.
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