Do you know what your child learned in school today? How will you reinforce that lesson that the teacher prepared? Unfortunately, if you simply hope that your kid will remember the material, you might end up frustrated a little later. Being involved with your children as they go through school is vital to their success, and might even help them to stay out of trouble. Check out this website filled with interesting, informative articles about education. Jot down ideas that might help you on a daily basis. It might seem like a small move, but it might make all the difference to your kid.
Dropping your child off at daycare for the first time can be upsetting, especially if you spent time as a stay-at-home parent. Daycare is a difficult transition when the child is used to staying at home. However, the transition can be done. Here are some great tips for transitioning a toddler from home to daycare.
Visit the Facility Ahead of Time
Making sure your child is comfortable is the most important thing. One of the most frightening aspects about daycare for a child is the unknown. Children who are used to being at home with a parent all day have no idea what to expect when they're suddenly being left with a stranger so the parent can go to work. Don't wait until the first day of daycare to show your toddler the facility. Make an appointment to bring your child by ahead of time so he or she can meet the daycare providers and look around. This way, there won't be an unknown to add to the emotions on the first day.
Don't Stick Around
Another difficult part of the drop off is not knowing what to do when your toddler starts crying. Your child might cling to your body, cry, and beg you not to leave. It's the hook, line, and sinker of the daycare drop off. It's difficult to leave your child in distress, and trying to stick around until the storm is calmed is a natural reaction. However, prolonging the goodbye tends to make the drop off worse on everyone. More often than not, the children don't calm down. They continue to cry until you agree to take them home. This upsets other kids in the room and stresses out the daycare workers. The best thing that you can do is give your child a hug, say you'll be back after work, and leave. When your child starts wailing as you walk away, don't waver. Head to your car and drive away. Your toddler will calm down a few minutes after you are out of sight.
Make a Plan to Check In
Don't keep calling the daycare unexpectedly to check in on your child. If every parent called a few times a day to check in, the caregivers would spend more time on the phone than actually caring for the children. Ask if there is a way you can check in for the first few days. They might prefer that you call at a certain time or just send a text and then wait for a reply. Don't get angry if you don't get a reply right away. They're busy caring for the children, so be patient.
Have a Morning Routine
Make sure you have a routine in the morning. Don't wake up at the last minute and rush your toddler out the door. Chaotic mornings are stressful. When you get stressed out, your child will feed off of your negative energy and become upset. Wake up early and make breakfast. If your child has a relaxing, stress-free morning with you before it's time to go to daycare, the transition will be much more peaceful. Of course, full bellies improve moods as well.
Use a Transition Object
While daycares don't usually allow outside toys, they do encourage bringing some type of comfort object. For most kids, this is a stuffed animal or a small, special blanket. Experts have found that transitional objects ease stress in children and bring them security and comfort. It's a little piece of home that they can take with them to daycare and other uncomfortable places. The object is something that your child becomes attached to, not something that you can just pick out from the store. If your toddler has one that is specifically carried around the house, make sure you bring it with you.
The transition to daycare isn't easy after being at home for a year or two. However, it's never impossible. Follow these tips to make the transition as stress-free and simple as possible.
For more information and tips, contact a local daycare center, such as Learning Tree Schools, directly.
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