Need Help With Transitions

[dan]

Can anyone help i`m doing an NVQ 2 course and i`m finding this part difficult. I need a teachers explaination on moving house and how to explain this to children in the class. I also need the same but on a new baby. I would be happy of any help given

[Boxcar]

Sorry for the delay in respones. Sometimes things get buried. This is a really active forum.

Children are very concrete.

Suggest to the parents that the child who is moving see the new house before it is time to move. Also, the family should take a video or pictures of both houses. This way, the child can be helped to remember.

In the classroom, you can do lots of things.

Books are always a good place to start. There are many stories on these topics. Look through some of the options at the library or bookstore. Find ones that meet your own style.

Dramatic play is the other good choice. Bring in cartons and let the children pack up the housekeeping area. Make a moving truck out of a large box. Have suitcases and other items available.

Talk about saying "good-bye" to the house, the school, and the friends. Again, children are very literal. They also believe that objects have feelings at this age. You will need to help them see ways to sepreate from thier familiar lives.

You should cover how to make new friends. This is a very important discussion to have.

As for a new baby, bring in real baby items for the children to explore. This might be powder, diapers, toys, wipes, and even baby formula and food. Have dolls for the children to play with.

If a parent has had a new baby, ask that person to visit for a little bit. The children will want to see what a real baby acts like. They need to know this because for nine months a baby is just a abstract concept for them.

Again, books are also good for this topic. They can really jump start a converstion.

[Boxcar]

Oh, parents must be informed before babies are discussed. Each family has its own explaination for where babies come from. You, as the teacher, cannot answer that question. The accepted response is: "That is a good question. We'll ask Mom (or whoever) when she comes to pick you up." If the child presses you, say "That is a question for mommies (or whoever) to answer."

[dan]

thanks to you both it really helped i just finished that part of my course now and am waiting for the next part