My youngest daughter adored her second grade teacher. This lady was a wonderful role model for my little girl. This gentle teacher inspired not only because of her love of learning, but also her mannerisms and fashion sense. When May rolled around, my daughter started worrying more than usual. She simply did not want to leave second grade.
Saying goodbye after spending a large portion of their life with a person can be very difficult for sensitive children. There are ways to make the transition easier. Consider the following tips to help your child move on.
Talk to the teacher - Sometimes just mentioning that your child is having a hard time with the upcoming transition can be enough to cue the teacher. Preschool and elementary school teachers have probably dealt with this before and can be a good ally in helping manage fears and feelings.
Keep in touch - Moving up a grade does not always mean you will never see your favorite teacher again. Let your child know they can visit their old classroom from time to time. In my case, not only was my daughter moving into a new grade, her teacher was retiring after the school year. We made it a point to get her teacher's address so we could send her cards in the mail.
Make a gift - End of the year gifts are common, but making a gift can be a meaningful way for your child to express themselves. Let her draw a picture or make an object out of clay to give to their special teacher. Picking flowers and tying a ribbon on can be a simple way to show they care.
Write down memories - Have your child tell you about their favorite parts of the school year. Write down the memories to help your child remember. Your child can even give the teacher her list as an encouraging gift.
Talk about the future - The fear of the unknown can be difficult for some children to handle. Share some of the good things that will be happening over the summer and the next school year. Sometimes all it takes is a little positive encouragement and something to look forward to to make the transition easier.
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