Summer Goodbyes

No child wants to be separated from the friends he sees every day and has grown to treasure—even if it’s just for a few months. There are, however, a few things you can do to make it easier on your little one when it’s time for summer break.

1. Build up excitement about summer activities.
Former preschool teacher Anne Santos says to talk about what you have lined up for him. “Summer classes, trips to the beach, new friends, even sleeping in,” she suggests. Then make sure you follow through.

2. Explain what’s going to happen.
No need to make a big deal out of it, but clueing in your little one is always a good idea. “Just mention that he won’t see so-and-so for quite a while,” says Santos. Then you can distract him with a fun activity.

3. Make a friendship scrapbook.
An-Marie Villarin, managing director of the Terrific Tots Preschool Program of The Little Gym, says that this is a great idea for younger kids. “It can be done alone or together with a friend,” she says. “They can make identical scrapbooks or one for each other. Include photos, drawings, magazine cutouts, art work, or lyrics to their favorite songs.”

 

[previous|page|next]

 

4. Throw a summer kick-off party
Parties are always fun. Raise the excitement of summer with a kick-off celebration. You can hold it in someone’s home, a clubhouse, a park, or an activity center.

Villarin also suggests that the children give each other gifts. “Something relevant to the things the kids like to do together,” she says. “Or they can make something special that will make their friend remember them.” This activity can even be done at the party. Make sure to take lots of photos and videos so that your little one can look back on them if he wants to “see” his friends again.

5. Keep in touch!
If you are going out of the country, buy postcards and have your little one scribble something on them and mail them to his friends. “Writing and receiving cards is still a lot of fun even if it takes a long time,” says Villarin. Even if you aren’t going anywhere, you can still make an activity out of this. It will encourage your little one to practice his writing skills. Villarin also suggests giving away a set of stationery with your address written or printed on the envelopes to make things easier.

If your child can’t wait, though, there’s always the phone. You can even invite them over for play dates! Just make sure to get numbers and addresses before school lets out.

Santos reassures parents not to worry too much about their preschoolers because they “are very resilient and have short memory, so going off for the summer is not that big a concern as it is with older children.” But for older children who have grown very attached to their friends, Villarin suggests keeping a journal. Recording their “thoughts and feelings can help kids who are having a hard time dealing with the sadness or the loneliness that may come,” she says. “They can also write about the good times together, favorite things, songs, books, or movies.”

Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you are present if your child is feeling any separation anxiety from his friends. Your love and attention will more than make up for your little one’s loneliness this summer.

 

Photo from sxc.hu