The Adaptation Period
The adaptation period at the start of a child’s attendance, is crucial for the success of any educational program. When done with care, it helps prevent emotional issues in children and anxiety in parents and nursery staff. This period allows for a gradual shift from the child’s life with just their parents to interacting with other children and adults.
The adaptation period lasts at least one week and can be adjusted to each child’s needs. It is an emotional experience for everyone involved, filled with challenges, especially because it is a new situation. Adults and children, who are close to each other, suddenly have to interact with people they barely know, which can make communication difficult. These emotions need to be processed and understood quickly.
The quality of life in a nursery depends a lot on the first few days, including the moments when children arrive and leave each day. These are often overlooked but are key for a child’s social development under the age of three. For parents, it is important to consider the isolation and struggles of urban life, the anxiety of separating from their child, and leaving them in the care of unfamiliar people.
Educators face challenges in understanding the experiences of the child and their family.
For the child, especially in the early months, it’s important not to underestimate the sudden absence of familiar feelings linked to parents or home, the fear of losing a vital connection, and the anxiety about new and unexpected sensations, even if mixed with curiosity and joy in meeting peers or playing with new objects.
All of this is overcome gradually, through gentle actions. Parents are made comfortable without feeling overwhelmed, and the child is given time to close the ‘safe distance’ they keep from unfamiliar things. Trust is built, even with the nursery staff, that every difficulty will be handled with patience and flexibility.
After the adaptation period, children grow their ability to spend long hours away from their parents and home. For this to happen without distress, it needs to be an active process that respects each child’s pace and is done in agreement with the parents.
Step by step, the child becomes comfortable only after they find stable reference points among the adults and the environment. Eventually, they see the nursery as an extension of their home and family.
All of this is overcome gradually, through gentle actions. Parents are made comfortable without feeling overwhelmed, and the child is given time to close the ‘safe distance’ they keep from unfamiliar things. Trust is built, even with the nursery staff, that every difficulty will be handled with patience and flexibility.
After the adaptation period, children grow their ability to spend long hours away from their parents and home. For this to happen without distress, it needs to be an active process that respects each child's pace and is done in agreement with the parents.
Step by step, the child becomes comfortable only after they find stable reference points among the adults and the environment. Eventually, they see the nursery as an extension of their home and family.
As separation and adaptation are delicate moments in the life of a child under 3, at Montessori House Brussels, we have created a small class with a maximum of 7 children. In this intimate setting, our teacher, Françoise, spends mornings (from 8:45 to 12:00) with the children, gently working on the separation process. To support this transition, we encourage parents to prepare their children beforehand. This can be done by showing them a photo of the teacher from the school’s website, taking a walk to show them the school building, and reading books that address separation. Establishing a special way to say goodbye also reassures the child that their parent will return after garden time.
The presence of educators plays a vital role in this transition, as it allows for personalised attention to each child’s needs, fostering emotional growth. By building warm, affectionate relationships rather than relying on commands or instructions, we provide a sense of security. Our stable reference educator helps the child feel safe while offering them the freedom to explore and act according to their interests and rhythm, creating a secure and nurturing environment that supports their independence.
