If your child is going to be starting child care sessions or kindergarten anytime soon, it's important to make it a positive experience for both your child and you. The transition from being at home to starting child care can be a traumatic time, even when the setting is comfortable, welcoming and fun. To help your child make the transition without undue stress, here are a few tips on starting child care on the right foot.
Gently Does It
Most child care settings and kindergartens encourage a part time or gentle approach to starting sessions. For example, some settings may offer part-time sessions to ease children in gently, while others may allow parents to stay while children get used to their new environment.
Set A Positive Tone
No matter how apprehensive you may be about leaving your child with a stranger in a new setting, try to remain as upbeat and positive as possible. Children are very receptive to your feelings, and even unspoken thoughts may play out in your mood. Instead of counting down to the big day when your little one starts child care or kindergarten, count up to the big day with lots of positivity. You could create a wall chart that shows the number of days to go until the start day. Putting a photo of your child smiling on the child will reinforce this as a positive event in your child's mind.
Try Not To Linger
A quick and simple routine at drop off is always the best way to get your child to settle. That's not to say you can't give your child a cuddle before they go in, but try to keep contact brief and free of any anxiety. You can sob in the car afterward if you like, but at least your child will not pick up on your emotions. A good child care company or individual will know how to deal with any problems at the door and will likely encourage you to leave quietly when your child is preoccupied with something else.
The first days in child care or kindergarten can be stressful, but these feelings are usually shortlived. The more you can do to ease your child in gently, make it a positive experience and shield them from your emotions, the more likely it will be that they will settle in quickly and have the time of their lives.
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