Sending your child to daycare is hard for the parents and the children as well. Choosing the best daycare will make the transition relatively easy for parents, providing them security and peace of mind that their child is safe.
However, it could be a big transition for children. As a parent, you must do whatever you can to make the transition easy for your toddler.
They might feel cranky or uncomfortable initially, but they will gradually start having fun in the day care center with the right teachers and environment.
So, here are the five best tips for parents to help their children adjust to their new day care and routine.
1. Take them to the daycare for a visit
After choosing the best daycare for your child, you must take them to the center for a quick visit to familiarize them with the environment.
Give them time to explore the space themselves; you must observe how they react to the surroundings.
This also allows you to notice how your toddler might get along with the staff at the daycare.
2. Talk to them about the center
Ensure that you should talk about the center in conversations with them. Make them understand what that place is and why they will spend their time at the daycare.
If they seem hesitant about staying at the center without you, assure them that you will pick them up every evening. While talking about the center, try to tell them about the fascinating things they will learn or do here to make them excited about going there.
3. Tell them about the schedule
They must know the activities they will be doing at the center, and you must explain to them at what time they will have breakfast, play, nap, and come back home. This helps paint a picture in their minds of what their day will be like. Knowing what to expect will make your toddler more comfortable and make it easier for them to settle in the new environment.
4. Take them shopping
When they start going to daycare, they will need a backpack, a pair of comfortable sneakers, some stationary, and a water bottle. Including them in the shopping will make them more enthusiastic about using those stationary and other items you bought for the daycare. This will indirectly make them enthusiastic about going to the daycare.
5. Ensure that they are comfortable with other children
If your child does not have a sibling or if you do not live in a big family with other children, then you must take them to parks or schedule dates.
You must make your child comfortable in making friends and spending time in the company of other children.
By scheduling playdates, you not only help develop their social skills but will also make it easier for them to get along with other children at the day care center.
As soon as they start making friends at the center, the transition will be much smoother, and they will be excited to go there each day.
So, the best way to make your child comfortable at the daycare is by talking to them and participating in the process.
