Pre-Kindergarten Program

Welcome to Preschool at Georgia School Ningbo!

My name is Claudia Castro and I will be the Preschool English teacher and the Early Years Department Coordinator. I am very excited to meet all of your little ones and to bring English into the children´s lives in a creative and loving way.  I am sure the children will have a lot of fun and enjoy our classes.

First, I would like to provide some background information about myself. I am from Brazil and I have been teaching Pre-K for 11 years, but I also have experience working with Nursery and Kindergarten.  I have a Master’s Degree in Leadership of Education from Framingham State College.

The first day of school is an exciting milestone in a child´s life. Your children are embarking on a journey that will lead them to many roads of discovery and learning.

As wonderful as this experience may be, it can also be quite stressful for a young child. New situations and changes can, at times, be unsettling for all of us. For many children this may be their first experience of separation from parents or from care givers at home. It is common for even the most outgoing child to be anxious about the first day of school.

I have provided a few suggestions for assisting your child during this time. Remember the preschool staff will be available to provide support and assistance to make your child´s first days of school very special ones.

• Prepare your child for the new school experience by explaining what to expect. Answer all questions directly and honestly.
• Convey a positive attitude. Young children are aware of your feelings and by showing enthusiasm you will help your child understand that school can be a fun and exciting place.
• Establish a routine involving both the night before a school day as well as morning preparations. Rituals and routines add predictability and are comforting in unfamiliar situations.
• Bring something from home. This is acceptable and often reassures the child while adjusting to school. This item may be a toy or even a photo from home.
• Clearly state to your child where you will be and when you will return. It may also be helpful to discuss what will happen when you are reunited.
• Maintain a clear good-bye routine. This may include warning the child you are leaving in 3 minutes, a kiss and a hug, or a wave from the door. Once you tell your child you are leaving, it is important to follow through. Extending the good-bye with “Ok, just one more kiss and then I really have to go,” tends to heighten anxiety rather than relieve it. Avoid sneaking out, this tends to encourage children to become less trusting and makes the second day of school even harder.