Four Ways To Make The Transition To Daycare Easier
Sending your child to daycare for the first time can be hard for both you and your child. It will be a new experience that will require a bit of a transition before both of you will feel comfortable with the change. The guide that follows provides you with a few things you can do to help the change to daycare go easier for you and your child.
Choose a Daycare that Offers Ample Stimulation
When your child goes to daycare, you want to be sure that their attention is occupied throughout the day so that they are not constantly worrying about when you will be back to get them. Choosing a daycare that provides ample stimulation for your child will ensure that they constantly have something fun and interesting to do.
Start Off with Small Increments of Time
When taking your child to a daycare for the first time, you need to be sure that you start off with small increments of time. It will be hard for your child to stay at the daycare for hours on end in the beginning. Start with just a few hours at first and add on more time every few days until he or she is able to adjust to the change.
Provide Your Child with a Memorable Item
When your child goes to daycare, give them something that will bring them peace while they are there. Purchase special socks that allow them to think of you when they look down at them. A plastic locket with a picture of the two of you may be a great option for a little girl. A stuffed animal or blanket may bring your child comfort during naptime as well.
Give Your Child a Watch to Wear
Finally, provide your child with a watch to wear while they are at the daycare. Let them know what time you will be picking them up each day and write the time on their arm with a washable marker next to the wash. Your child can then look at the watch and the time on their arm to help them count down the time until you return to get them. This will help them feel confident that you will be back to get them when you say you will.
These steps are not difficult to do but can make a huge impact on how easy it is for you and your child to adjust to daycare. You will quickly start to see a difference in your child, as he or she gets used to the new environment and the people in it. Daycare can be very beneficial for small children because it can help them prepare for school and overcome separation anxiety at an early age.
For more information, contact Learning Tree Schools or a similar organization.