Great Suggestion for Preschool that I Want to Share

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I read this article in a parenting magazine that I think will help a lot here on WP. Unfortunately, I can't post a link, since it was in a print magazine, and it was written in a foreign language, so I can only write a summarized translation. Anyway, it talked about what to do if your kid wants to take his or her toys to preschool.

On one hand, taking a toy from home helps a child adjust better to preschool, since it acts as a transition object and/or provides a reminder that the home didn't cease to exist. It also gives a child something to play with, should he not become interested in any preschool toys. But, like many other things, this has a dark side. Oftentimes, other kids, especially the stronger, more socially dominant ones, will try to take that toy; this is even more true is an aspie kid brings it. In the end, it results in a dilemma. Should the parents not let the child bring the toy, and make adjustment more difficult; or should the parents let the child bring the toy, and stick him with the task of worrying about its safety? Many preschools are sticking with the former option, deciding that a few hours without a favorite toy are better than the possible conflicts it can bring about.

The magazine article suggests a wonderful compromise: a photo! A laminated, wallet-sized photo that a child can hide discreetly in a pocket. The article suggests it being a photo of mom, dad, or both, but it can be any photo: a favorite relative other than parent, a pet, the child's room, or even the same favorite toy. In the last case, it works especially well, because the child get to have a reminder of it, while still keeping it safety at home. Also, it will attract far less attention from other kids, because to them, it'll be "just a picture", thus saving countless stress for the kid who brought it. And maybe your child might even be willing to show it to other children, and practice sharing/social skills in the process, because there is little or no need to worry for its safety.

Of course, if the photo in question becomes an attachment object in and of itself, it might cause the same problems as a favorite toy. But you can reduce the likelihood of it by making multiple copies, so your child won't get the idea that it's irreplaceable. Well, that's all for now, but feel free to post your thoughts.

I took my stuffed rabbit 'Snowy' to school for all of second grade. It was the only way the teacher could make me pay attention. By then, I'd gotten a reputation for being the weird one, and most of the other kids oddly enough actually thought she was cool. My home object became the way for me to make my first real friend. Course, I went to school in a small town where my parents knew all of the other kid's families pretty well. If anyone had taken her, it would have been easy to get her back.

The photo idea might work, but it would depend on the kid really. I know I never would have been able to deal with a picture instead of the real thing. But, it's still a great idea.

My children's preschools both adamantly followed the "no toys from home rule." A photo sounds like a good option, however. Thanks for sharing the idea!