Taking your child to a daycare center for the first time can be scary for both parents and the child. You're leaving your child in the care of someone else, in hopes that your child will be taken care of and loved much the same way you care and love your child. You want your child to have the best of times at daycare and you hope they look forward to their time when they go back as well. To help make this come true, there are things you can do as a parent. Read on for tips to help make your child's time at daycare a success.
Always Speak Positive
Always walk positive about your child going to daycare. If you are apprehensive about your child's time at daycare, your child is going to pick up on this and will feel the same way about going. If you talk about how much you're going to miss your child when they go to daycare, they are going to miss you just as much. Everything you tell your child, they pick up on, so if you aren't being positive about them going, they aren't going to be positive either. Only ever talk about daycare in a positive light, such as talking about how much fun they will have or how nice it will be to make new friends or to learn new things.
Pick Your Child Up On Time
When you tell your child you will be there to pick them up at a certain time, be sure you are there when it's time. Don't leave your child to wonder or worry about when they are going to be picked up. Don't give your child a time and not show up, as this can make your child worry and create a fear each time they are left at daycare. Also be sure you are the one that is picking up your child. If someone else is supposed to pick up your child, be sure to tell your child ahead of time so as to not worry your child about your whereabouts. Sometimes this is unavoidable, but do your best to give your child a heads up.
Allow Your Child To Bring Something From Home
If allowed, have your child bring something from home with them to help them feel more comfortable at daycare. Don't have them bring anything too expensive, as there is a chance that things can get lost at daycare, but something small that acts as a piece of home can help make your child feel safe and secure.
If your child is going to be starting to go to daycare, there are things you can do to help make their time a success. Talk to the daycare facility about other things that can help make your child's time a successful one.
