At SOME point in our lives, most of us will spend at least SOME portion of time in the Nursery Rom of our meetinghouses.
There are many who will avoid this room at all costs. If you come prepared to help these kids enjoy their time away from mom and dad, you will find this a much simpler, happier 2 hours each Sunday. Here are a few things that I have found help a new nursery leader (not to mention children) have a good experience.
Help #1: Establish trust/Reach out in love
Greet each child BY NAME (talking more to the child than the parent), perhaps with a hug OR an item that they can go and use RIGHT then in the attention getter activity (see Attention Getter label). Assure the parents that they'll be notified if they are needed and literally, GET THEM OUT of there! The faster it is, the easier it will be.
Like a bandaid.....
Like a bandaid.....
If a child WILL not let go of their parents, invite the parent to hold back until the rest of the children are in the classroom and engaged. Then (if you feel comfortable doing this) ask the parent if they will allow you to take the child as they leave as quickly as possible. Not lingering to reassure the child. Take the child, as gently as possible (even if they are fighting you) and hug them to you as the parent leaves. If they continue to scream, take them a bit away from the group and just start talking to them. Soft. Not babbling, just enough to get them to hear your voice. When they are ready, take them back to the group and engage them as quickly as possible into the activity. If they continue to scream, tell them that they are scaring the other children. They may ask you to go get mom and dad. Tell them that you WILL NOT (if they know it's an option, they will manipulate and scream until that happens) but that you will take good care of them and help them be happy.
My own way of handling if the screaming continues; I usually hold them and tell them I can only put them down when they stop screaming, or ask them if they need a snack/drink/potty, or put them in a chair by themselves until they're done. You might have to tell them "It's time to be done crying. Mom and Dad can't come back until you're done."
My own way of handling if the screaming continues; I usually hold them and tell them I can only put them down when they stop screaming, or ask them if they need a snack/drink/potty, or put them in a chair by themselves until they're done. You might have to tell them "It's time to be done crying. Mom and Dad can't come back until you're done."
Help #2: Attention snack
For those children who struggle with separation anxiety, a snack is a WONDERFUL distraction! Have something right away that they can grab and stuff in their mouths while their parents make a fast get-away! Something SMALL, not meant to fill them, just enough to help the separation be a little quicker.
See ATTENTION SNACKS label on this blog.
See ATTENTION SNACKS label on this blog.
Help #3: Always come prepared with an "attention getter" activity!
Most of the time, if you can pique the child's curiosity right from the start the transition can just flow. Of course there are special cases that you will just have to work through.
I will be posting these activities weekly as I do them myself in the ATTENTION GETTER label of this blog.
Help #4: Play SOFT, happy music as they come in.
A lot of children just need to hear a happy sound to feel comfortable. Remember to keep it VERY soft as some children may feel overwhelmed. If there is a specific child who seems to be struggling, turn down the music or turn it off. Some children have sensory issues where a lot of noise bothers them. Just watch.
I have a pair of hunting earphones that I keep nearby. Some children like to wear these during playtime. I just ask them if it's too loud and if they'd like to wear them. Sometimes they want them, sometimes they don't. But the option is always there.
See WELCOME MUSIC label of this blog for examples.
Help #5: Follow a consistent schedule
Post pictures on the wall if you are willing. The kids LOVE knowing what's coming next.
Use a fun song to run through the schedule if you want.
Look for my own schedule on the ROUTINE label of this blog.
Help #6: Invite someone to come do music
(Primary chorister, animated grandma of the ward, NOT one of their parents if possible!)
A little change during your time together is good:) Seeing another face might help them stay out of mischief.
This does not mean break time for you. Get down on the floor and do the singing, actions and everything else that you want the children to do. Remember, children this young love to mime!
If you do not have someone available, you can do music yourself.
See MUSIC TIME label of this blog.
Help #7: Let the children see you're happy to be with them
We've all had a teacher in school that you just KNEW hated their job. This makes us hate their class, yes?
If you want the children to be happy, then you need to be happy.
As I said before, make your time with them count. Focus on them, not their parents. They will feel how you love them:)
Help #4: Play SOFT, happy music as they come in.
A lot of children just need to hear a happy sound to feel comfortable. Remember to keep it VERY soft as some children may feel overwhelmed. If there is a specific child who seems to be struggling, turn down the music or turn it off. Some children have sensory issues where a lot of noise bothers them. Just watch.
I have a pair of hunting earphones that I keep nearby. Some children like to wear these during playtime. I just ask them if it's too loud and if they'd like to wear them. Sometimes they want them, sometimes they don't. But the option is always there.
See WELCOME MUSIC label of this blog for examples.
Help #5: Follow a consistent schedule
Post pictures on the wall if you are willing. The kids LOVE knowing what's coming next.
Use a fun song to run through the schedule if you want.
Look for my own schedule on the ROUTINE label of this blog.
Help #6: Invite someone to come do music
(Primary chorister, animated grandma of the ward, NOT one of their parents if possible!)
A little change during your time together is good:) Seeing another face might help them stay out of mischief.
This does not mean break time for you. Get down on the floor and do the singing, actions and everything else that you want the children to do. Remember, children this young love to mime!
If you do not have someone available, you can do music yourself.
See MUSIC TIME label of this blog.
Help #7: Let the children see you're happy to be with them
We've all had a teacher in school that you just KNEW hated their job. This makes us hate their class, yes?
If you want the children to be happy, then you need to be happy.
As I said before, make your time with them count. Focus on them, not their parents. They will feel how you love them:)
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