Experts Advise Early Preparation to Ease Children’s Transition to Municipal Kindergarten

As the new school year approaches, many parents face the challenge of transitioning their children from daycare to municipal kindergartens. Kati Goverman-Shuv, an early childhood pedagogical supervisor at WIZO, emphasizes that the adjustment process begins well before the first day of kindergarten, ideally during the summer months.

Goverman-Shuv explains that children need certainty and predictability to feel secure. She recommends parents plan weekly schedules calmly without overloading their children with activities, balancing movement, quiet time, independence practice, and focused parent-child interaction daily. These routines help build the child’s confidence and prepare them for the increased independence expected in kindergarten.

To avoid difficult separation scenes on the first day, she advises establishing a consistent, brief goodbye ritual involving a hug, kiss, and a reassuring phrase. Parents should acknowledge their child’s emotions without dismissing them and avoid disappearing without saying goodbye or prolonging farewells unnecessarily. She stresses the importance of honesty about when parents will return.

During the initial adjustment period, children may exhibit crying, clinginess, fatigue, or temporary regression, which are normal responses to change. Goverman-Shuv encourages parents to maintain trust, routine, and cooperation with kindergarten staff, assuring that most children adapt with time and consistency.

Ultimately, she highlights that the greatest gift parents can give is confidence in their child’s abilities, rather than perfection or constant activities. With proper preparation, patience, and trust, children will enter kindergarten feeling more secure, and parents will have provided a strong foundation for their new beginning.