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Time to Go
Ending Playgroup on a High Note
By Melinda Copp
"Goodbye will be sad for your toddler, so set yourself up so all the business of leaving is done," Smestad says. Then approach your toddler and say it's time to put the toys away. When you routinely give your child a few minutes' warning, as they get older they will better understand how to transition from one activity to the next.
example, say, "Isn't that a nice toy? It's so fun to play with that toy, but now it's time to say 'bye-bye' to the toy." "Acknowledge what they're doing and tell them that it's time to go, but don't try to convince them," Smestad says. In most cases, telling your child that you're moving on to another activity is not enough to make them understand that it's time to do something else. At this point, you can use a special transitional activity to smooth the process, such as a song.
In preschool and kindergarten, teachers lead the class in transition songs that move them from one activity to another. For example, they sing clean up songs and naptime songs to help kids understand that it's time to move on. You can apply this same idea to your toddler's playgroup by making up a bye-bye song or by playing a particular song on the CD player when it's time to go.
"Singing a song gives your toddler a warning and helps ease the transition," Kessler says.
"Don't coaxor cajole your toddler when it's time to leave," Kessler says. "Pick them up, say good-bye and leave." Do it quickly. The longer you prolong leaving, the more anxious your child will be when they know departure is inevitable.
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