Features of children's adaptation to kindergarten: how the process goes

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Most parents sooner or later have to send their grown child to kindergarten. Of course, for moms and dads, this situation is very exciting. Indeed, significant changes are coming in the life of their children. Over the next few years, this preschool should become practically a second home for their baby, and therefore it is so important that he gets used to the new conditions as quickly as possible and can easily adapt to the changed requirements. What problems do children and their parents face, and how can we make this period as smooth as possible for the whole family?

The concept of adaptation

This term is understood as the process of an individual's adaptation to new conditions, as well as to a new environment for him. Significant changes in the life of any person, including a baby, have a direct impact on his psyche.

What is the adaptation of children in kindergarten? First of all, this is a period that requires a large energy expenditure from the child. As a result, there is an overstrain of the child's body. In addition, the adaptation of children in kindergarten is getting used to significant changes in living conditions, including:

• absence of father, mother and other close relatives;
• the emergence of the need for a clear daily routine;
• reducing the amount of time that will be devoted to a particular baby, because there are from 15 to 20 children in the group;
• necessity to obey the demands of adults who are strangers to him.

Main addictive factors

The period of adaptation of a child to kindergarten for all kids proceeds differently. So, some of them get used to new conditions relatively easily. In this case, the adaptation of children upon admission to kindergarten lasts only one to three weeks. Other crumbs are much more difficult. Their adaptation period stretches for a couple of months. Only after this, the anxiety of the little man can be significantly reduced. If the process of adapting children to kindergarten is not completed even after this period, then parents will need to seek advice from a specialist psychologist. What directly affects the success of this process? Experts identify a number of factors that are worth considering in more detail.

Age of child

Very often young mothers seekgo to work early. This decision forces the child to be sent to kindergarten at the age of two, or even earlier. But it is worth noting that such a step is very difficult for a child. Indeed, at an early age, he still cannot fully interact with his peers.

Of course, every little person is a bright personality. However, most psychologists are of the opinion that the optimal age to start attending a preschool educational institution is 3 years old. This conclusion is explained by the so-called crisis period of the first years of life. When the baby is 3 years old, the adaptation of the child in kindergarten in itself becomes much easier. Indeed, by this time, the level of psychological dependence on the mother decreases in children and independence increases. That is why it is much easier for them to part with loved ones for a few hours.

Why shouldn't you rush to register your child in preschool? For example, if a child is 2 years old, then adaptation to kindergarten will most likely be difficult for him. After all, the formation of attachment to the mother and the relationship between children and parents ends only when the baby reaches the age of three. That is why, at 2 years old, a long separation from a loved one is likely to cause a nervous breakdown in the baby and violate basic trust in the world.

Do not discount the greater degree of independence of three-year-olds. As a rule, at this age, children already know how to go to the potty and drink from a cup. Some of them even make attempts on their owndress. All these skills facilitate the adaptation of children in kindergarten.

He alth condition

It is quite difficult for a child to adapt to kindergarten conditions if he has serious chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, etc. Difficulties in addiction in this case are explained by the characteristics of the body and an increased degree of psychological connection with loved ones.

The same can be said about those children who get sick often and for a long time. In this case, for the successful adaptation of the child in kindergarten, special conditions will be required in the form of reduced workloads and supervision of medical personnel. Experts recommend giving such kids to preschool as late as possible. After all, the main problem of adapting a child to kindergarten is his he alth, and in the younger group, the baby has the following:

• manifested reduced immunity;
• increases susceptibility to infections;
• emotional lability increases, expressed in periods of tearfulness;
• aggression, activity, or, conversely, slowness, unusual for a little man, arises.

When collecting documents for kindergarten, parents must pass a medical examination with their kids. There is no need to be afraid of this procedure. On the contrary, moms and dads can once again consult with doctors about how their child can survive the upcoming adaptation of children in kindergarten with minimal he alth losses.

The level of psychological development

Successful passage of the period of adaptation of the child to kindergarten canto prevent deviation from the average indicators of cognitive interest. Moreover, in this case, both mental retardation and giftedness sometimes play a negative role.

The first option will require the use of special correctional programs. They will fill the existing gaps in knowledge, as well as increase the child's cognitive activity. If all favorable conditions are created for such children in the kindergarten, then by the time they reach school age they can catch up with their peers.

Psychological adaptation of children in kindergarten is difficult even if they are gifted. The fact is that such kids have a significantly higher level of cognitive activity than their peers, while they are able to experience some difficulties in communication and socialization with classmates.

Peer contacts

Adaptation of young children in kindergarten involves a significant increase in the level of socialization. Toddlers have to communicate a lot with their peers, as well as with unfamiliar adults. At the same time, psychologists note the peculiarities of children's adaptation to kindergarten. The fastest way to get used to a new society are those kids whose circle of social environment is not limited only to parents and grandmothers. If children rarely contact their peers, then it will be very difficult for them to get used to the changed conditions. Their still weak communication skills and, in addition, their inability to resolve conflict situations will affect here. All this inevitably causes an increase in anxiety and is the main reason for reluctance toattend kindergarten.

In many ways, this factor in the adaptation of young children in kindergarten depends on teachers. An educator who knows how to establish good contact with a child significantly speeds up the process of getting used to unusual conditions.

Features of behavior

Sometimes the period of adaptation of children in kindergarten scares parents so much that they begin to believe that this "horror" will never end, and that their child will simply not be able to attend preschool. However, fathers and mothers are concerned, as a rule, with those features of the behavior of their children, which are typical for the vast majority of babies going through this stage of their lives. And at the same time, parents should not think that only their child cannot attend preschool, and the rest of the children behave better. This is far from true. Consider the most common changes that can be observed in the behavior of a child when adapting to kindergarten conditions.

Emotions

How is the adaptation of the child in kindergarten? At the initial stage of visiting the preschool educational institution, he has very strongly expressed various negative emotions in the form of crying and whimpering. The manifestation of fear becomes especially vivid. The baby with all his behavior shows that he is scared. He is afraid of the teacher and the fact that his mother will never return for him. Manifested in the child during this period and anger. He breaks out without letting himself be undressed, and is even able to hit a loved one who is about to leave him in the group. Sometimes these children show depressive reactions. They become sluggish and seem to have no emotion at all.

Amongfeatures of children's adaptation to kindergarten stands out the lack of positive emotions, which is especially pronounced in the very first days. Kids are very upset by parting with their familiar environment and with their mother. The child may smile. However, this is usually a reaction to a new toy or a fun game.

Parents will have to be patient. No matter how hard it is, it is worth remembering that negative emotions will definitely be replaced by positive ones. They will indicate the completion of the adaptation of the child of the younger group in kindergarten. A child can cry when parting with his mother for a long time. However, such a manifestation of emotions does not at all indicate that his getting used to new conditions is going badly. If the baby is able to calm down after a few minutes after the mother left the group, then we can assume that everything is in order.

Communication

The first days of adaptation of preschool children to kindergarten pass with a decrease in their social activity. Even those kids who were distinguished by sociability and optimism become restless, withdrawn and tense. Adults, watching children, need to keep in mind that 2-3-year-old crumbs play only nearby, but not together. At this age, the story game with the involvement of several participants has not yet received its development. That is why parents should not be upset if their baby does not interact with others. The successful passage of the adaptation process in this case can be judged by the interaction of the child with the teacher. The kid must respond to the requests of an adult and followdaily routine.

Cognitive activity

At the initial stage, this factor in children who came to kindergarten, as a rule, is reduced or completely absent due to the stress reactions taking place. Sometimes the child is no longer interested even in toys. He tends to sit on the sidelines in order to better orient himself in the new environment. And only gradually, in the process of adaptation, the baby will begin to master the space of the group. He makes "forays" to toys, gradually they become more daring and frequent. After that, the child will begin to have cognitive questions that he will ask the teacher.

Skills

At the beginning of attending kindergarten, the baby will be influenced by new external influences for him. Because of this, some children temporarily lose their self-care skills, including the ability to use a spoon, pot, handkerchief, and so on. If the adaptation of children in kindergarten is successful, parents will be pleased to see that their baby not only remembered everything forgotten, but also learned something new.

Speech

During the adaptation period, the vocabulary of some children can be significantly depleted. At the same time, “lightweight” versions of words and sentences will appear in it. Parents don't have to worry about this. Over time, the child's speech will not only be restored, but also significantly enriched. To do this, you just need to be patient and wait for the end of the adaptation period.

Motor activity

When coming to preschool, some children become too active, while others become “inhibited”. In thatthe period of change also affects their domestic activities. A good sign of successful adaptation is the restoration of normal motor behavior both in the kindergarten and outside it.

Sleep

A child left by his parents for daytime sleep will not fall asleep in the first days.

The baby will either jump up or wake up crying. The crumbs will also become restless at home. And only after the adaptation period is over, everything will definitely return to normal.

Appetite

At the initial stage, when the child has just started attending preschool, he will not strive for food. At the same time, a decrease in appetite is associated with food that is unusual for the crumbs, as well as with stress reactions. How to understand that the adaptation process is successful? This will be indicated by the restoration of the little man's appetite. And even if he does not eat everything, he will still start eating.

Change in body condition

Often, children start to get sick already in the first month of their visit to kindergarten. After all, the process of adaptation is accompanied by a decrease in the resistance of an organism that has not yet grown stronger to various infections. Of course, many mothers hope that their child will be able to get used to the changed conditions after a few days of visiting the preschool educational institution. However, do not rush time. Psychologists and doctors identified 3 degrees of adaptation of children to preschool educational institutions. Among them:

• light, which lasts 15 to 30 days;
• medium (period 30 to 60 days);
• severe (2 to 6 months).

Let's consider eachof these degrees in more detail.

Easy adaptation

With a given degree of adaptation of the baby to new conditions, his behavior in all main indicators returns to normal within one month of visiting preschool. Going to kindergarten is not a tragedy for him at all. He comes to his group happily and calmly.

With a mild degree of the adaptation period, the appetite of babies decreases moderately and after a week it returns to its norm. Sleep is quickly restored in such children. This is enough for 1-2 weeks. In such cases, a decrease in immunity is also insignificant. Already after 2-3 weeks, he completely returns to normal.

Medium adaptation

This degree of addiction to preschool education takes much longer and is accompanied by significant deviations. Sleep and appetite in such babies are restored only by the middle of the 2nd month of their stay in the kindergarten. At the same time, the activity of the crumbs decreases. He develops emotional depression, which is sometimes accompanied by a violation of the chair, the appearance of sweating, as well as dark circles under the eyes. In the case of a child undergoing adaptation to its average degree, he quite often develops acute respiratory viral infections, which, moreover, proceed much more severely. These symptoms pass by the end of the 2nd month.

Tough adjustment

This degree of addiction is particularly alarming. It is accompanied by long-term illnesses that have a severe course, a strong decrease in appetite, as well as suppression of emotional and physical activity. Such symptoms clearly indicate that the baby's defenses are notcope with the conditions that have arisen and are not able to protect his body from various infectious factors of the new environment.

Serious stress and weakened immunity have a negative impact on the mental and physical development of the child, as well as on his emotional state. The baby begins to refuse food, communication and games.

Adaptation phases

The end of the period of getting used to the conditions of the preschool educational institution can be judged by the moment when the child's negative emotions change to positive ones, and at the same time all regressing functions are restored. At the same time, the child no longer cries during the morning parting and goes to the group with desire. He is more and more willing to interact with the teacher, responding to his requests, follows all the requirements of the regime, orients himself in the group and even has favorite toys and activities.

Comprehensive research by scientists from different countries made it possible to distinguish three phases (stages) of the adaptation process:

1. Spicy. It is accompanied by a variety of fluctuations in the mental status and in the somatic state. The passage of this phase causes weight loss, the appearance of frequent respiratory diseases, a decrease in appetite, as well as a regression in the development of speech. The duration of this phase is approximately one month.
2. Subacute. This phase is characterized by adequate behavior of the baby. All shifts in his behavior begin to decrease and occur only in relation to individual parameters. At the same time, slowed down rates of development of the child are noted, especiallymental. The duration of this stage is 3-5 months.
3. Compensation phase. It is characterized by the acceleration of the pace of development of the baby. By the end of the school year, children overcome this delay.

The most difficult for the baby is the first stage. That is why it was called the acute phase. But parents should keep in mind that all stages of adaptation occur in children purely individually. If the baby talks a lot and happily about the kindergarten and hurries there, believing that he has a lot of things to do and friends, then we can assume that the addiction period has already been completed.

Pre-training

How to minimize the adaptation time of children in kindergarten?

Consultation for parents allows moms and dads to prepare in advance for this important event in their child's life. Experts at the same time advise:

1. Stop worrying. Parental anxiety is projected onto the child. You should also not discuss with the baby the possible complications of his visit to kindergarten. Psychologists advise parents not to go to the other extreme. After all, some mothers and fathers draw idyllic pictures of their stay with the children in the kindergarten for the child. It is best if adults take a position of conscious necessity.
2. Correct baby mode. It must be rebuilt so that it is easy for the child to wake up an hour and a half before the time when he needs to leave the house. Children who no longer sleep during the day need to be taught to at least lie in bed.
3. Teach a child in oneand at the same time go to the toilet in a big way. Moreover, this should not be a period from 11 to 13 hours, when the children go for a walk. In a small way, the baby should learn to go to the toilet not at the moment when he really, really wants to, but in advance.
4. Bring the child's menu closer to the kindergarten one. At the same time, parents need to eliminate the snacks that their baby requires before or after the main meals. To do this, experts recommend for some time to reduce the calorie content of dishes. This will lead to an improvement in appetite. But if the child continues to refuse to eat everything quickly and leaves food on the plate, then you need to talk with the teacher so that he is patient and gentle with the baby in this matter. Indeed, often problems with food become the main reason that children refuse to go to kindergarten.
5. Perform hardening procedures. The easiest and most effective way to do this is to walk barefoot. In summer it should be on the ground, and in winter - indoors. Such an event will strengthen the immune, as well as the nervous system. Water treatments will be of great benefit in hardening. Experts advise parents not to limit the baby's stay in the water and not to control its temperature too much. You should also gradually accustom the baby to cold drinking, so that he can be given kefir, milk and juices directly from the refrigerator without he alth problems. From the point of view of temperature contrast, eating ice cream will also be useful.
6. To teach that mom can go away. To do this, psychologists recommend creating situations where the childhe himself will ask a person close to him to leave for a while. For example, in order to prepare a surprise for mom or play longer with friends. At the same time, leaving for a long time, you should ask the child to keep order in the house and give him any instructions that he must complete by his mother's return. When meeting a baby, be sure to ask how his day went and praise him for his success.
7. Track how the baby plays with peers. The fact is that the relationship between children at this age is at the stage of formation. In a child whose parents sent to kindergarten, this process is significantly accelerated. That is why parents should pay attention to whether their child is suitable for playing children. If it is difficult for him, then moms and dads need to teach him how to do it. The kid should be able to greet children, offer them brought toys, ask them to play with them and respond correctly in case of refusal, while finding a compromise option.
8. To teach your baby to take out only those toys that he is ready to give to friends. If he takes only his most beloved bear with him and does not share with anyone, he will soon be known as a greedy man and remain alone.

Help Mom

In the process of adaptation, close people should create the most careful environment for the baby in the house, which will spare the baby's nervous system, which works at full capacity during this period.

Besides, mothers need to say only good things about the teacher and about the kindergarten in the presence of the child. And this is despite some existing dissatisfaction. It is always easier for a child who respects caregivers to adapt to new conditions.

In addition, on weekends, parents should not change the mode of their child. Of course, he can sleep a little longer in the morning, but at the same time not particularly shifting the whole daily routine.

You should also not wean children undergoing adaptation to kindergarten from "bad" habits, for example, from the pacifier. This will allow not to overload the nervous system of the crumbs, which is already too tense.

Mom in such a difficult period for the baby should be more tolerant of his whims. The reason for their occurrence is the overload of the National Assembly. A baby who has shown dissatisfaction should be hugged, helped him calm down and switch to another activity.

You can give a toy from home to the kindergarten. It is better if it is soft. At this age, for the crumbs, a familiar toy will be a substitute for mom. By hugging a soft part of the house, the baby will quickly calm down in an unfamiliar environment.