Supporting Preschoolers Through Teacher Transitions: Building Trust and Emotional Resilience

Core Skills Analysis

Social and Emotional Development

• Kinder is learning to recognize and express feelings of confusion and missing a familiar person, an important part of emotional literacy.
• They are experiencing the impact of change and transition on their comfort and sense of security in their learning environment.
• Kinder is beginning to understand the concept of trust as they need to build a new relationship with the replacement teacher.
• They are developing resilience by navigating feelings associated with the absence of their regular teacher.

Tips

Transitions involving significant changes like a new teacher can be challenging for young children. To support Kinder’s learning and wellbeing, caregivers and educators can facilitate conversations about feelings of confusion and missing others, validating those emotions. Creating opportunities for the replacement teacher and children to engage in familiar routines or shared activities can help foster trust and a sense of belonging. Storytelling or role-playing about change, welcoming new people, and friendship can deepen Kinder’s understanding and coping skills. Additionally, involving children in creating a welcome gift or a class project for the new teacher encourages active participation and positive connection.

Book Recommendations

• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn: A heartwarming story that helps children feel comforted and reassured during times of separation and change.
• When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang: This book offers insights into managing big emotions and finding calm, helpful for children experiencing confusion or distress.
• Showing Up for Learning: Building Relationships with the New Teacher by Kimberly Alexander: A helpful guidebook for children facing transitions with new educators and how relationships can be nurtured.

Learning Standards

• Children have a strong sense of identity – as Kinder experiences change, they are supported to maintain a sense of who they are and their place in the classroom community.
• Children are connected with and contribute to their world – developing relationships with the new teacher fosters connection and active participation.
• Children have a strong sense of wellbeing – recognizing and expressing feelings about the teacher’s absence supports emotional wellbeing.
• Children are confident and involved learners – engaging with new adults and routines encourages confidence and adaptation.

Try This Next

• Worksheet: Draw a picture of your favorite thing about your regular teacher and one thing you want to learn about your new teacher.
• Role-Play: Practice greeting and talking with a ‘new teacher’ puppet to build comfort with unfamiliar adults.