Moving can be a confusing time for your preschooler. Maybe you’ve read enough of our articles by now that you know exactly how important routine can be, and how overwhelming it can be when a routine is broken. So if you’re moving, here’s how you can help your preschooler adjust. If you haven’t you should check out our article “Benefits of a Daily Routine for Your Preschooler.”
Moving is one of the biggest changes in routine your preschooler will go through. They’re not just confused about a change in their day, but a change to their entire life. That can be scary for an adult… imagine being in preschool and watching everything you’ve ever known be put into boxes and carried away. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy that new house, with the wrap around porch you’ve always dreamed of! It just means you need to spend a little extra time helping your preschooler adjust to the big move!
TEACH THEM THAT “HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS”
Make sure that your preschooler knows that no matter where they are, what’s important is that they are with the people they love, and that love them. Here’s some things you can do with your preschooler to teach them about love.
- Read books about love
- Do community service
- Teach a love for earth by recycling
- Talk about love and say “I love you” often
- Make a card for a loved one
- Do one of these arts & crafts from Hands On As We Grow
Be sure to head over to YouTube and check out this song about hearts that will get your preschooler up and moving, and learning about their hearts at the same time.
INVOLVE THEM IN EVERYTHING
Involve your preschooler in as many parts of the moving process as possible. Whether you’re searching locally, or planning to move to another state, let your preschooler be a part of the house hunt. Narrow down your list to those few you just can’t get out of your head, and either take your preschooler to the homes, or show them pictures. Ask them questions about what they like about each home, and what wall they think their bed should go on. If you’ve been having a hard time deciding on a place, talking to your preschooler might even benefit you.
After you’ve picked your perfect new home, let your preschooler help you pack for the big day. We don’t suggest letting them pack the fine china, but helping you pack up their books and toys will help them feel involved. Make sure you explain to them that their stuff isn’t being taken away from them, and where it’s going.
INTRODUCE THEM TO THE NEW SURROUNDINGS
Teach your child all about their new home. If possible, take them to the park close by home so they can see where they will be playing, and drive around the new neighborhood looking for any of your preschoolers favorite restaurants. If your move is too far of a drive to explore the neighborhood, this is a fun time to introduce your preschooler to google maps. You can explore places all over the world from your very own computer. After you check out your street, and neighborhood, check out these virtual field trips from Ditch That Textbook, since you already have Google maps open.
MAKE THEM FEEL SECURE
You taught your preschooler all about love, and how important love is in your new home.. so don’t forget about all of the things your preschooler loves. Start making their new home feel like home as soon as possible. Unpacking their belongings and putting their room together will start to help your preschooler feel comfortable in their new space.
Be sure to get back to routine immediately so your preschooler has things in their life that aren’t changing, and they still feel like they have some control over what happens to them. Take a break from unpacking, take your preschooler to that ice cream shop you passed, and continue doing what you can to help your preschool adjust to their new life after moving.
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