How to Prepare Your Child for Nursery

Young children ages 18 months to three years old attend nursery class during services for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During this two-hour time block, children play with other children, have a short spiritual lesson, have a small snack, and do a minor activity. There are always two teachers in the class. Nursery can be frightening for some children, since it may be the first time they are separated from parents. Here are a few tips to preparing your child for this big step.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Patience

1. A few weeks prior to your child is set to enter nursery, see if the nursery leader might let you visit the class so you can become acquainted with the routines and schedules.
2. During your child's first day, you may want to stay with him or her. If they go to daycare or are used to being separated, it's perfectly fine to leave them on their own.
3. If your child cries and refuses to leave you, stay with them for a while and try to get them distracted with a toy or have the teacher help you. Many times they will take the child and comfort them while you sneak away.

Tips & Warnings

• Always ask the teacher what you can do to make it easier for the child to go to class.
• Be sure to check in with your child to see what they did. This helps keep that enthusiasm for going to nursery.
• Every child is different. Some may have a tougher time than others separating from parents. If needed, you may need to stay with the child for several weeks until they are emotionally ready.