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First summer camp: how to reassure your child
Give it something concrete. Go through the centre’s brochure together, comment on a typical day, look at the photos. On the Internet, you can sometimes find pictures or videos from previous years. The fact of visualizing the place of his next vacation will give him confidence.
Shocking arguments. We don’t always think about it and yet these two arguments make a lot of sense: “Aren’t you all alone?” “. It is between 5 and 7 years old that the majority of children make their first stay in a colony. And the younger they are, the more “newbies” they are. They share the same apprehension and often regroup among themselves. “The animators will do everything to offer you a good holiday”. They love children and already have lots of ideas for games.
Advise him to speak up. The goal being that he has the best possible stay, he should not hesitate to express his wishes. He hit it off with a friend on the bus? He can ask to share his room. He doesn’t like carrots, doesn’t get hooked on such activity? He must discuss it with his facilitator. The team meets every evening to take stock and possibly adjust the program.
First summer camp: ask all your questions
There is no taboo subject. The most common remark parents make to organizers is: “My question is certainly silly, but. “
No question is stupid.
Ask all those that come to mind, the answers will reassure you. Write them down before calling the center so you don’t forget any. The principal’s objective: that parents be at peace. Finally, do not wait until the day of departure on the station platform to express yourself, we will not have time to answer you.
The summer camp suitcase: an emotional package
Prepare it together. And not the day before, you will save yourself unnecessary stress. Is an item of clothing requested on the list missing on the day of departure? This can distress your child. Pack some solid stuff. But if he refuses to put on his Batman briefs (for fear of being made fun of), don’t insist! The first summer camp is a big step towards independence and the choice of clothes is one of them.
Doudou et Cie. He can take his blanket (with a label indicating his name) but you can also offer to take another one to avoid losing it. A few small toys, his bedside book, and a surprise slipped discreetly before packing the suitcase are also recommended. But, avoid (yes, yes, it happens) to record your voice on a tape recorder so that he can listen to it every night!
Phone, tablet… how do we manage?
Mobile phone. More and more young children have them, and for the most part, the centers comply with this development. In general, cell phones remain in the principal’s office, who gives them to the children at fixed times: between 18 p.m. and 20 p.m., for example.
Send him emails. Most centers have an e-mail address. Yours will be given to your child when the mail is delivered. Remember to send him one before his arrival on site.
Namely
Avoid overloading it with the latest phone, tablet, etc. The risk of theft can stress it unnecessarily. And he left to live collective adventures, and preferably in the open air!
Do you want to talk about it between parents? To give your opinion, to bring your testimony? We meet on https://forum.parents.fr.