9 Ways to Help with Saying Good-bye at Drop-off

Some days are easier than others to come to Kindred Kids, and each child that we meet is different. There's no kiddo that attends that hasn’t gone through a period of difficulty saying goodbye to their parents. This will always come up as YOU are your child’s favourite person! So, what are some easy ways to help your child through this tricky transition?

1. Short Practices – Okay, so if you leave for a moment, your child starts to cry uncontrollably. What can help here is to actually practice this step MORE often. Your child will begin to understand that mum is on her way back soon. Once the intensity of their reaction fades, then you can start to increase the amount of time you are away.

2. Be Consistent – Routines are children’s best friends! Once you establish a consistent routine for saying goodbye and you use this all the time, your child will be able to settle more quickly as they know what’s coming next.

3. Speak Positively – Try to focus on language that will support your child’s transition. Reminding them how much you’ll miss them may cause them to upset even more. Stay positive about their day and highlight a few fun things they’ll be doing.

4. Use a Transition Object – Does your child have a favourite toy or blanket? These can be great settling tools! If this isn’t enough for your child, try using a shirt that you’ve worn recently so that your scent is there too.

5. Find a Safe Person – Your child will transition easier and quicker if they know their needs are going to be met. We encourage you to find the person that your child trusts to go to at drop-off.

6. Stay Calm – Easier said than done, right? Your child is excellent at reading your body language and emotions, so remember to take deep breaths throughout the transition to help soothe these things so your child can remain calm too.

7. Short and Sweet Goodbye – Make your goodbye short as longer goodbyes can make the separation more difficult on your little one.

8. Reflect Feelings – Remember to validate your child’s feelings when you are leaving. You may not be able to change the outcome, but showing them you understand helps them know it’s okay.

9. Find an Attention Getter – What does your child like to do? If you can help them find an activity they like, they’ll have an easier time saying good-bye.

Your child is going to be unique, so one strategy may work one day and not the next, so remember to be patient as your child’s autonomy grows. Are there any tips we’ve missed?? Tell us below what’s working for your kiddo!