As your eldest starts their kindergarten, you will most likely be focused on easing their transition and helping them cope with the separation anxiety. At the same time, you will also be dealing with your own emotions about the parting. But during this period, there is one aspect that you may forget to take into consideration; how your younger one will be greatly affected by this separation.

A toddler’s social life usually consists of his immediate family, and it can be upsetting to him when it’s incomplete. Losing his only companion, someone he is so accustomed to since his birth, can cause him to be more ill-tempered than usual.

It is vital to acknowledge their feelings and soothe him before it gets out of hands. This also means you have to spend more time with your child and keep him engaged since you are now the stand-in buddy.

So, what can you do exactly?

1. Casually talk about the changes a few weeks ahead of the big day! You can take him out for playdates where he can mingle with kids of the same age to help him experience new friendships.

This will pleasantly make him understand that he doesn’t always have to be together with his sibling and there are also other things that he can do.

2. Once the school starts, take him along with you when you drop off your oldest and make it a fun time for both of them by sharing stories, singing songs etc. When he misses his older sibling, console him by letting him know that his older sibling will be home soon.

3. One of the best ways to deal with it is to distract him by creating a small school setting at home, how? Here are some simple ideas:
   • Set up a little desk and chair arranged only for him.
   • Prepare easy and simple daily programs that include some learning activities such as learning shapes, colors depending on your kid’s age group.
   • You can use educational applications on the phone that teach children Arabic or English languages or specific skills through games, videos, etc.
   • Read stories, many of them.
   • You can also print out worksheets that are available online but make sure to choose the papers from reliable sources so that the information is correct. Your child can solve them as homework with his older brother.

These ideas are fun, creative and very productive since they will also prepare your kid for school in the future.

It won’t be long before they – your kids – grow up and head off to school themselves. So spend some quality time together and enjoy your moments together by giving extra cuddles as well!

Abjadiyat, which translates to the ABCs of the Arabic alphabets, is an Arabic Early-Learning platform tailored to kids aged from 2-8 years old with more than 400 educational content.

The app is available for free download one-click away in your Appstore and Google Play Store: https://go.onelink.me/Ttrc/360moms