NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR
Supporting Drop-off In The New School Year
As children and teachers have moved into their new rooms, we wanted to highlight how to support the drop-off process as we establish new relationships and routines.
Part of our Blue Leaf philosophy, and in alignment with RIE and Reggio, is seeing children as capable, competent citizens from day one. When thinking about what the rhythm of drop-off looks like, these words come to mind…
Respect
Honesty
Consistency
Predictability
We respect the child in their ability to navigate challenges, have autonomy, and process at their own pace. The rest of these words all fall under the umbrella of respect. By respecting the child we are honest with them, honest about the experience and what is going to happen, “I am leaving now.” It is also important to be honest about the feelings being expressed to you. When a child is upset and you offer back, “You’re okay,” that is at odds with the emotion being expressed.
Instead we strive to be honest in our understanding of their emotions. “You are feeling sad to say goodbye. You are safe, and I will pick you up after school”. Finally we have consistency which in turn leads to predictability. Consistency in a drop-off routine looks different for each child, depending on their individual needs. Some children thrive with a specific ritual, and more time with their parent, while others may find more success in a quick goodbye. Regardless, once the goodbye is said, it is important to follow through versus creating more anxiety for the child. This solidifies the predictability of the routine.
The classroom teachers are excellent resources in helping create routines that support each family-please reach out to them if you would like support in this time of day!
