IN Moon Township Spring 2020 | Page 31

INDUSTRY INSIGHT
PARENTING
SPONSORED CONTENT
Six Ways to
Help Children
Cope with
New Situations
N
ew experiences and transitions can be challenging
for children to deal with. Learning expert and award-
winning writer Susan Magsamen, member of The
Goddard School Educational Advisory Board, offers six
tips on how to help children cope with unfamiliar situations.
1. Talk with your child about upcoming new
experiences. Share your own experiences about similar
situations, including your feelings. When you share your
emotions (fears, concerns, uncertainty), it gives your child
permission to feel these, too.
2. Make it a story. When you put your experiences into a story
with a beginning, middle and end, it helps your child develop
a sequence and process for moving through any new
situation. For example: “I was worried that I would get lost
at school and be late for class. So I went to school with my
mom the week before school started and figured out where
everything was. It made me feel so much better.”
3. Find creative solutions to problems. Ask your child
whether he has any questions about a new experience. Work
together to creatively solve each of these problems one by
one. Make it simple and easy.
4. Imagine together what a new experience will be like.
Your child may not have a specific concern, but it helps
to create a virtual image of what a new experience might
be and what might come up. Researchers have found that by
simulating or play-acting, you are more likely to have a frame
of reference to ease into a new situation.
5. Have grounding things. When transitioning from a
familiar situation to an unfamiliar one, it’s important to have
something with you that makes you feel safe and grounded.
For young children it could be a book, a stuffed animal, a
This Industry Insight was written by Dina Speranza &
Carol Maier. They are the owners of The Goddard School®,
located at 800 Commerce Avenue in Moon Township.
Goddard offers both full- and part-time Infant/Preschool/
Kindergarten programs. For more information, visit
goddardschool.com/Pittsburgh or call 412.262.1821.
favorite jacket or a photo of the family. Ask the school in
advance about guidelines for what children can bring to
school.
6. Make home a safe and welcoming place. When your
child comes home from school, start with a big smile and a
bigger hug. Then offer a simple snack. You could also provide
downtime that doesn’t include screens and other distractions.
Above all else, be sure to encourage at-home and bedtime
rituals during the week that enable your child to get lots of
rest and sleep.
NURTURE
IS OUR
NATURE.
NOW ENROLLING!
>
Tour your local
Goddard School
and experience
why it’s the best
preparation
for social and
academic success.
Goddard Systems,
Inc.’s program is
AdvancED
accredited.
CRANBERRY
TOWNSHIP
724-778-9999
MOON TOWNSHIP
412-262-1821
WEXFORD
724-935-1100
GoddardSchool.com
The Goddard Schools are operated by independent franchisees under a license agreement with Goddard Systems, Inc.
Programs and ages may vary. Goddard Systems, Inc. program is AdvancED accredited. © Goddard Systems, Inc. 2014
MOON TOWNSHIP
❘
SPRING 2020
29