Teaching twins about nursery
I’ve written previously about our girls starting nursery school and the things that you need to know and also about what books are available to help prepare children for nursery, but one subject I haven’t touch upon is when the girls will need to talk to the teacher.
I’ve talked to them about what happens at nursery, that mummy and daddy won’t be staying with them, but will be taking them and picking up again, but it never crossed my mind until a few weeks ago that I hadn’t spoken to them about talking to the teacher and asking the teacher questions.
The reason this came up is because I was talking to another mum at playgroup about how the girls were starting nursery in September and she told me that when her daughter first started nursery she was too shy to talk to the teacher.
When she picked her daughter up from nursery, she discovered that her daughter had no underwear on. Naturally she was a bit alarmed so she gently asked her daughter why.
He daughter told her that she’d wet herself and was too shy to tell the teacher so she flushed her pants down the toilet!
This really got me thinking!
What if they need the toilet, but aren’t confident to ask?
R and M are both very shy when it comes to talking to unfamiliar people. I wonder what I can do to help them be a bit more confident in this area?
I’ll talk to them nearer the time about making sure they tell the teacher when they need the toilet, but also about telling the teacher if someone hurts them or if something is worrying them etc.
I just have no idea where to start!
Books worked wonders for me in terms of getting the girls used to the idea of going to nursery, but I haven’t been able to find any books which approach the subject of asking the teacher questions and talking to the teacher.
I know before they start nursery that they’ll have a few introductory sessions so that will be great for them to meet their teachers and getting used to talking to them, but I worry about them!
They’re so shy and timid around people they don’t know. I know when they start nursery it’s only two and a half hours a day so it’s not long, but it’s still long enough! To me they look too small and too young to be starting nursery! I want to keep them home for a while longer!
Do you have any tips? Can you recommend any good books suitable for toddlers?
5 Comments
Chloe
July 3, 2015 at 6:47 am
Princess Polly starting nursery is good. It describes the difference between home and nursery. Evie is 15 months and we've have to take her to nursery one morning a week. I waited until she was a year old but could have waited for many more years. I hate leaving her there and she cries everytime we leave (the nursery nurse has told us that this is a pretend cry though because as soon as she hears the door click she starts playing happily). We've found that its really improved her confidence around other children though and shes so much chattier and interested in things like painting. It really does have its benefits. She's been going for four months and even though she's still crying, she is starting to get used to it now. I think it'll be quicker if they're older though. xxx
Jeremy Barnes
July 3, 2015 at 1:11 pm
we were very fortunate to not have to start our daughter until she was three. Shes always been very outgoing and probably the most un-shy kid I've ever seen. Good luck. I'm sure it will be good for them and may be just what they need to start opening up to other people
Sophie P
July 3, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Oh wow, this has really got me thinking. M is exactly the same. She is so shy and anxious around new people, and like your girls she starts nursery in september and now I'm thinking about the same scenario. I will try to find some books now, and if I find any i will let you know. Thank you for bringing this to my attention! 🙂 xx #binkylinky
Sarah Howe – Run Jump Scrap
July 3, 2015 at 7:32 pm
Aw I'm sure if they see other children with the teacher and he/she is warm and friendly they will start to feel more confident. Perhaps have a word with the teacher and explain they are shy so that they can be checked on a bit. My girl got more confident at nursery and warms up with new people after not too long. Hope all goes well! xx #binkylinky
Jenny Eaves
July 4, 2015 at 4:33 pm
I don't know of any books, but if you find a good one let me know. O has been going to nursery 1 morning a week for a year now and is only just talking to the staff. He's very shy, won't ask for anything and will rarely answer direct questions, although he will now say yes or no thank you. Hope he's better there next year! 🙂 x