It’s completely normal for your child to form a bond with their early childhood educators. There may even be certain teachers at their childcare that they tend to gravitate to more than others. So, what happens when their favourite teacher is leaving their room or the service altogether?
Let’s take a look at the role of attachment theory in establishing bonds between teachers and children and what you can do as a parent to help your child navigate the loss of their favourite teacher.
What is teacher attachment?
When it comes to early childhood education and care, teacher attachment refers to the emotional bond and relationship quality between early childhood educators and the children in their care.
This concept is rooted in attachment theory, which traditionally focuses on the bonds between children and their parents or primary caregivers. However, there’s emerging evidence to suggest that this theory also plays a key role in early childhood education and care.
Establishing secure bonds between educators and children can have a positive impact on children in a number of ways. Teacher attachment can provide:
- Emotional support: Educators who provide a secure and nurturing environment often help children feel safe and valued. This emotional support fosters trust and encourages children to engage more actively in the learning process.
- Consistency and reliability: Just as with caregivers, consistency in behavior and expectations from educators helps children feel more secure. Reliable and predictable interactions contribute to a stable learning environment.
- Academic support: Strong educator-child attachments are linked to better academic outcomes. Children who feel connected to their educators are often more motivated, have higher self-esteem and express more positive attitudes toward school in general.
- Positive behavioural influence: Secure attachments with educators can reduce behavioral issues in the classroom. Children are more likely to adhere to classroom rules and norms when they have a positive relationship with their educator.
- Social and emotional development: Positive educator attachments contribute to the development of social skills and emotional regulation. From here, children can learn to interact respectfully and empathetically with peers and adults.
It’s clear that strong bonds between early childhood educators and children can have a positive impact on the social, emotional and academic development of the child. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that children can often become distressed at the thought of their favourite teacher leaving the service.
Luckily, as a parent, there are a number of steps you can take to help your child navigate this transition period and establish a new connection with a different educator.
Prepare your child in advance
Most childcare services understand the impact that change can have on children, so they’ll often try to provide parents with notice when educators are leaving their service. As a parent, this gives you time to chat with your little one about the upcoming change and what to expect.
Rather than focusing on their favourite teacher leaving, try to put a positive spin on the situation. Describe the new educator using positive terms and explain their role in caring for and teaching them. Children often pick up on your emotions, so showing enthusiasm can help them feel more comfortable.
It can also help to read children’s books that address themes of change and new experiences. Stories can help children understand and process their emotions related to the transition.
Encourage communication
Explain why their favorite teacher is leaving in simple terms that are appropriate for their age. Reassure them that it’s a normal part of life and emphasise the positive aspects of meeting new people.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the transition. Ask them how they feel about their favourite educator leaving. Acknowledge and accept their emotions and let them know that it’s okay to feel anxious or uncertain during times of change.
Communicate regularly with the new educator to stay informed about your child’s progress and any concerns. Being engaged shows your child that you are interested in their experiences and well-being. It also gives you an opportunity to quickly address any issues as they arise.
Write a goodbye card to their educator
Ask your child if they would like to write a card or draw a picture for their teacher as a parting gift. This can allow them to express their feelings and process their emotions. It can also help to end on a positive note with their favourite teacher before they leave the childcare service.
Maintain consistent routines at home
When your child is going through the motions of saying goodbye to their favourite early childhood educator and the change that comes with settling in with a new teacher, it can help to try and minimise change in other areas of their life.
Try your best to keep home routines steady to provide a sense of stability. Consistent meal times, bedtimes and play routines can help your child feel more secure during this transition.
Introduce them to their new teacher
It can be worth taking the time to introduce your child to their new early childhood educator. You might want to encourage your child to make a card to welcome their new teacher. Explain to them that their new teacher may be feeling a bit nervous about starting their new role or moving into their room at childcare. Reassure your child that their new teacher is there to help them feel safe and make sure they’re well cared for.
Saying goodbye is hard, but you might also be able to take this situation and use it as a bit of a learning experience. Ultimately, helping children navigate the loss of their favourite teacher at childcare can lay the foundation to help them cope with future changes and transitions.
It’s completely normal for your child to be a little unsettled during times of change, but if you feel like your little one is really struggling to accept their new educator, it could be worth talking with their childcare service to see if they have any suggestions. If your child continues to struggle with the transition, consider seeking advice from a child psychologist or counsellor. Professional support can provide additional strategies to help your child adjust.
