Mom Kristina: Our first preschool camp
Every year, our Ladybug kindergarten goes on a five-day stay in nature. Last year I didn’t sign my daughter up because at the age of four she still seemed too young for such a long separation. But this year, we are both really looking forward to it.
Like other parents, I also feel a bit worried about how our little one will manage those four nights on her own. For Annie and her friends, however, it will surely be a week full of new experiences, adventures, and fun. Since our kindergarten is located in the center of a big city, I also appreciate that she will spend five days in the fresh air. And while she enjoys nature, I will catch up on tasks that I don’t usually have time for in everyday life.
How to prepare your child for a nature kindergarten trip
I knew that it was important to prepare Annie in advance so that everything would go smoothly and without stress. She doesn’t like walking much, which could be a problem. That’s why we now regularly go on longer walks so she can get used to covering longer distances with a backpack. During our outings, we talk about the planned stay away from home and prepare for what awaits her. My daughter is most excited about sleeping together with her friends in one room.
We also talk about the possibility that she might feel homesick - missing mom, dad, and her little brother. That’s why her favorite stuffed toy will go with her. She can cuddle it in the evening and have a little piece of home with her.
How long is a week?
At five years old, Annie doesn’t really have a clear sense of time. Five days is hard for such a small child to imagine. So we thought about how to help her understand the passing of days. In the end, we came up with a simple but fun solution. She chose a set of magical stickers from Mama Labels. We picked five glittery unicorns and packed them in her suitcase. Each day, she will stick one into her drawing notebook, where we prepared five little boxes. This way, she will clearly see how the days are passing. If your child isn’t into unicorns, you can choose from many other picture stickers -dinosaurs, cars, princesses, or cute animals.
Packing for a nature kindergarten trip
The day of departure is approaching, and with it comes packing. The child should be present so they can learn to navigate their luggage and belongings. That’s why we treat packing itself as preparation and a fun activity. We got a new suitcase and together ordered a value pack of kindergarten stickers from Mama Labels with her name and a favorite duck design. Annie chose the design herself, and I know she will easily recognize her things thanks to it. Every item we pack will be labeled together with a sticker - including her favorite stuffed toy.
You can read more about how the packing went and what exactly we packed in another blog article.
Mom Kristina
Tip from Mama Labels
Invite your child to help you choose name labels or a name stamp, and let them pick the color and design themselves. From our experience, children can easily recognize their belongings by the picture they chose. Teachers, on the other hand, will use the child’s name and surname on the label or clothing for identification. Don’t leave the purchase of labels and stamps until the last minute. It’s better to prepare for the trip in advance and avoid unnecessary stress.
The stickers are waterproof. Just like the iron-on labels and stamps, they can withstand washing in a machine. With so many fun designs and color combinations, everyone will find something they like.
Need help choosing stickers? Don’t hesitate to contact us.
Your Mama Labels team