Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/preparing-parents-for-change-promoting-a-sense-of-well-being-for-everyone/5014126/
Katie Johnson brings her 18-month-old son, Bobby, to his child care center on Monday morning. Instead of being greeted by the teacher she knows and trusts, she finds a stranger in the classroom."Where is Roxanne?" says Mrs. Johnson.
"Oh, she's moved to the Bear Room. Isn't it exciting! She's always wanted to work with the three year olds," says the stranger.
"And you are . . . "
"Oh, I'm Sally. I guess I haven't met you before. I used to work in the Lamb Room. I've been coming in to cover the teachers' breaks so the children will get to know me. You know me, don't you, Bobby!"
Bobby's center understood that children need preparation for change. Bringing Sally into the classroom helped the children get to know her. The children may have visited Roxanne in her new classroom and the staff may have taken other steps to prepare children for the change. They forgot that Mrs. Johnson also needed preparation for change.
Early childhood educators are sensitive to c ildren's need for preparation. We tell children "five more minutes" before a transition in the classroom. We read stories to children about changes that are coming, such as a move to a new house or ...