The first day of school brings a mix of emotions for children, from excitement to nervousness. Group 1 children recently experienced their first week of grade one, senior and junior
kindergarten, all marking a significant transition. As they exited the comfort from kindergarten and preschool, they all entered a new world of their educational journeys. These new experiences brought a blend of curiosity, excitement, uncertainty, and new friends.
During the first few days, the children expressed a range of emotions, some eager to explore the new environment and make new friends, while others felt shy and hesitant. To support their transition, educators Prabh and Courtney focused on creating a welcoming space that encouraged them to share their feelings 
and interests. We introduced various activities such as drawing, building and creating that reflected the children’s individual interests to ensure that they felt represented in the new space.
As the children began and ended their days in the program, they shared some of their stories. Some children spoke of their excitement to have met new friends and old ones, while others still felt uneasy about all of the new routines and expectations.
To help ease this transition, we encouraged children to support their peers and play together. For example, children shared their drawing ideas with their friends as they all joined around the table. The children began drawing members of their family, explaining to their friends who is in their families. Additionally, they shared their interests by explaining they like minions, dinosaurs, princesses, etc. This activity allowed the children to foster community in the program and support their social-emotional development.
Overall, the first few weeks of the program was a valuable experience for the children. They began to navigate the emotional and social aspects of entering a new grade. While also developing a sense of growth for their new learning journey. Through a combination of emotional expression and creative exploration, we supported the children in making this transition a positive and meaningful experience. The children have become more confident within the program as they continue to make new friends and learn routines.
