Create a Summer Packet                                        Tool 3

 
Program Action:  Create a Summer Packet

Purpose

Families use a summer activities to help their child prepare for and adjust to fall transitions.

Staff work as partners with community members to provide resources to families.

Suggested Materials

  • Tool 3-Parent Action: Work with Your Child
  • Art materials
  • Sample Time Capsule and Feelings Game
  • Community calendar


Tips for Preparing Packets

    · Talk with those in the community who offer summer programs to find out what activities are available and include them on a calendar. Gather ideas for additional parent-child home activities from teachers, librarians, and other interested community members.
    · Put summer packet materials together in a bag or box. Sometimes pro grams buy tote bags with their logo. Other programs ask businesses to donate plastic bags. You can get other ideas by talking with staff from other early childhood programs in your area.
    · Review the information and prepare a sample Time Capsule or create a sample Feelings Game. You can display the materials when you introduce the summer packet to parents.


Ideas for Introducing the Summer Packet

    · Celebrate with parents their contribution to their children's success. You might give them certificates of appreciation, make corsages for them, or post children's drawings of their parents. During the event present parents with the summer packet.
    · Write a newsletter article about the importance of parents' working with their child to help prepare him for the next school year. Tell what your program has included in the summer packet and remind parents to take time to look at the sample Time Capsule and Feeling Game.

Tool 3                                                        Work with Your Child

Parent Action:  Work with your Child

Purpose:  Children learn about their feelings and how to adjust to a new setting by doing hands-on activities.
Try these ideas to help your child.
 

Important Points

Transitions don't happen all at once.  Usually there is a period of adapting to change. 
Letting go, uncertainty, and taking hold are three common stages.

Letting go:  When children are most attached to the people and places they are leaving

Uncertainty:  When they feel the new place may be exciting, but are not confident about it

Taking hold:  When they learn about the new place and begin to feel comfortable

Letting Go
Help your child say good-bye to old places and faces.


Time Capsule
Who:  Ages 3 to 6

What you need:  A shoe box, 
paper, crayons, tape, favorite
things from preschool

How to do it:  Explain to your
child that you are going to make
a box for all of her preschool or 
kindergarten treasures.  This is
called a time capsule, because it
helps you remember a special
time in your life.

Talk with your child about what
he would like to include.  For
example:

  • artwork
  • pictures
  • videos
  • name tags
  • souvenirs
  • special gifts
 As you make the Time 
Capsule, talk with your child
about his special memories.
Tell her about a time when 
you left someplace special to
you.  Store the time capsule in 
a place where he can get it by
himself.

Why:  It is hard for children
to leave a place where they
feel comfortable and safe.
Creating a time capsule helps
them know they are growing
and learning.  When they feel
proud and confident it easier
to try new things.
 
 

Drop Me a Line
Who:  Ages 3 to 5

What you need:  Paper,
crayons

How to do it:  Ask your
child to help you write a
letter to her teacher.  You
can write down her words.
She can draw a picture and
sign the letter.

Why:  This letter lets your
child know he won't be
forgotten.  In addition, she
practices pre-reading
skills.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Uncertainty
Help your child understand his feelings and gain confidence.


The Feelings Game
Who:  Ages 3 to 5

What you need:  Decorate six paper
plates with these faces:  surprised, angry,
scared, sad, disappointed, happy.

How to do it:  Start with one or two
plates.  Ask your child:

  1. What does this person feel?
  2. When do you feel this way?
  3. What do you do when you feel this way?
Add plates gradually and spend time
talking about each feeling.  You can also
use the activity for problem solving.  For
example, when your child is angry,
show him the picture of the angry face
and ask, "What else can you o when 
you are angry?"

Why:  Children have many feelings 
during transition.  While they are ex-
cited, they also feel scared.  This activity
gives children the words to express
themselves.

When:  Practice anytime.  Use the plates
if your child is having trouble telling you
about their feelings during transitions.
 

Adapted with permission from HIPPY Creative Games (Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters), New York:  HIPPY USA, 1996.

 Picture This
Who:  Ages 2 to 8

How to do it:  While visiting a new 
school, take a picture of your child.
Make a frame and put the picture in a
place at home where your child will
see it all the time.

Why:  This helps the child picture what
it will be like at the new school.

Friendly Faces
Who:  Ages 2 to 8

How to do it:  Talk to people in your
neighborhood.  Look for families
whose children will be attending the
same school or child care program as
your child.

Arrange a time when the children can
play together.

You can also plan with other families
to take a day trip in your neighborhood,
go to the library, or make a special project
together.

Why:  Children often worry about who
will be in the new setting.  If they
make friends ahead of time, children
know that they will find a friendly face in
the new place.  This activity also helps
them learn how to meet new people.

Taking Hold
Help your child adjust to the new program.


Pack Your Bags

Who:  Ages 2 to 5

What you need:  A bag
or a backpack labeled
with child's name

What to do:  Explain to 
your child that you are
going to prepare for an
adventure to her new
school.  Show her the
bag and help her find
her name on it.  Let her
put one or two things in
the bag.  For example:

  • A family picture
  • A special blanket
  • A favorite toy
  • A stuffed animal
Why:  Young children 
feel more secure in a 
new setting when they
have familiar objects
with them.

When:  A day or two
before a major transition

Note:  check with staff
about policies for
bringing items from 
home.

 Smooth Good-byes

Who:  All ages

How to do it:  Each morning, take time to get your child settled into
school.  Create a ritual for saying good-bye, such as giving a kiss and waving from the door.  Be sure he knows when you will return.

Why:  Good-byes are stressful.  Morning patterns will help your child
feel more comfortable.


Setting Routines

Who:  All ages

How to do it:  Set a daily routine

Why:  To make sure your child is ready for school each day

Getting up            a.m.
Children don't like being rushed.  You and your child can make lunches and select clothes the night before.  Children gain skills when they help
make decisions that affect their day.

Breakfast           a.m.           Lunch              p.m.
Don't forget breakfast!  Studies show that children who eat breakfast are more alert.  Pack a healthy lunch or make sure the school or program serves this meal.

After school activities              p.m.       Homework              p.m.
Your child needs time to unwind.  School age children need a set time and place for studying.

Dinner              p.m.
Eat as a family when you can.  It gives you a time to talk.  your child learns new words and talking skills.

Bedtime                p.m.
Your child needs plenty of rest to do well in school.  Bedtime rituals like reading a story and taking a bath help calm children.