As the children prepare for their next steps, we are trying to balance giving too much and not enough information. Conversations about next steps begin to emerge allowing both children and adults to process the upcoming change. Understanding the importance of tangible information, we created boards where next steps are clearly visible.
We must keep in mind the balance of supporting the children to practice flexibility by not providing answers for everything while giving enough information for them to feel prepared. With access to online school tours, we are now able to enter a space digitally. This offers a window into what a new environment may look like. For those who may not have access, conversation becomes an important part of processing the unknown.
Amy: We are preparing for our next steps and we are wondering who knows what your next steps look like? We do know some of your families are still researching and will make the decision soon.
Uma: I’m going to UCLA Lab School. My sister goes there too. I’m feeling nervous and happy. When I first started NSW my friends supported me to feel better. Rava is going to be there and I know her.
Presley: My family moved and we are going to live super close to Coeur d’Alene School. I am feeling good about my next steps and I am not feeling scared because I have three friends going into the same school with me!
Levi: I’m not sure where I’m going. I’m feeling scared. I’m feeling curious about if my classroom is going to be like I imagine. I’m feeling sad leaving NSW and scared to go to my new place. My stuffed animal Chase supports me to feel happy.
Uma: Levi, once you have two or more days there, you’ll feel better.
Santiago: Or when you go to summer camp, like I’m going to Wildwood Summer Camp.
Mia: I go to Wildwood Summer Camp, too, and I like it. We get to play outside and we form lines. I like my new school and I’m also going to miss my NSW friends but my mom says we can always make playdates.
Colin: My parents are still researching. I’m feeling happy because I’ll see and play with new stuff. I’ll ask people, “What’s your name? What do you like?” Then I’ll share what I like and we’ll play together.
Christoph: I’m feeling scared, sad, and I’m going to miss everyone.
Dylan: I’m feeling excited, surprised and happy because of their new playground.
Chloe: I’m feeling scared and nervous because I don’t know my new teacher. Having a favorite space like the sand area will support me.
Jack: I’m going to the Willows. I saw pictures of the school.
Keaton: I’m going to Coeur d’Alene. It has a big play yard and I’m going to play basketball.
Mars: I’m going to El Marino. I’m going to paint there.
Tallulah: My family hasn’t decided yet. One school puts pictures in an envelope and they pick five or six pictures. The school hasn’t picked the children yet and we are waiting. I saw pictures of the schools. One has a structure and one has tents like the ones we have in the front yard.
Eve: I’m going to stay at New School-West. Am I going to the other side (where Aloes are)?
Cynthia: That wall will come down and this entire classroom will be the East Wing. Adriana will be here and the Cilantros, Dandelions, and the Mints.
Elliot: There are so many groups coming.
Cynthia: They are all going to come together and become the East Wing.
Rufus: My school is Ocean Charter and there is a mud river in it.
Elliot: I’m going to the same school as Golda. It’s Crossroads. Since Golda’s sister is going there, Golda is going there. It has a basketball area, a jungle gym, and a sand area. It also has Legos. I don’t know if it has magnet tiles yet since I don’t know everything that is there. There’s also big kids there and they will be our friends.
Cynthia: Oh, there will be older kids who are going to be your buddy.
Penny: I’m going to be in the same classroom but it’s going to be changed. The people will be changed.
Elliot: Yes, because all of these people will be at different schools and since you and Eve are younger than us, you will be staying here. I’m feeling excited. I’ll know Golda so she is already my friend.
Cynthia: How do you think you will connect to new people?
Elliot: I will figure what they like and compare it to me. We get to know each other. We find matches by finding the people we like and we can make many matches.
Mars: I don’t know what people will be there. I haven’t seen it yet.
Tallulah: I’m not sure how I’ll connect.
Penny: I make friends by asking what their name is and telling them what my name is and playing with them.
Eve: We can play with things we like.
Keaton: When I was in the WW with Asher, we weren’t friends yet. I was just friends with Jack and Rufus. Then we became friends.
Reflecting on this year, we are happy to hear the children ask questions and share in their curiosity about their next steps. Brainstorming the different possibilities of entering a new space while continuing to enrich their NSW relationships gives the children the ability to feel their transition together. As we reflect on our time together, we feel so certain in knowing that our families will continue to carry the values of relationships, connection, listening, collaboration and perspective as they enter their new communities. You all have a special place in our hearts. Thank you so much for the endless support and holding hands together as we navigated this year. We are forever grateful!
What adults can say to help:
Some key supportive phrases: I heard that you are having some feelings about your next steps. Let’s write them down or would you like to draw what you’re feeling? Tell me more about that feeling? Which part of your next step feels nervous? Exciting? What are you exactly wondering? Maybe let’s tell the NSW teachers and see what they think. Maybe let’s write a note for Susan and mail it to her. I miss her so much too. We will always have our invisible string connected to NSW/ NSW friends. What’s the same about your new school? What’s different? Remember when we first started NSW? Our family did lots of research and we feel this is the right place for us. We are learning the agreements/rules of this new school.
Questions we will be reflecting with the children: How does it feel to say goodbye? How does it feel to say hello? How does it feel to go somewhere new? To start a new journey? How do you connect with someone? With a new space? What supports your emotions? How do you keep a connection?What memory do you want to keep from this group of friends?
ResourcesZoom link to Kindergarten Transition Night: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/kzla-I-qa2XtyDHIdVv3RueMVvRaUcDtuEV5U7rs2IL-PbbEXl-CJEW_6RTIDc0g.jRNJAO-JOLAYi0OW Passcode: #wk5M5F9
Lynn Lyons Flusterclux Podcast: https://www.lynnlyons.com
Video about Change: https://www.facebook.com/lynnlyonsanxiety/videos/734354477234907/
- Susan, Adriana, Vanessa, Cynthia, Amy, Mary
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