How to Make a Transition to Day Care Easier

Ask other parents for day care recommendations.

Transitioning a child from a home environment to a day care setting can make a child feel vulnerable and experience separation anxiety. The first few days may prove difficult, but in time, he can cope. Taking measures to make the change easier can help him transition quickly, and soon he may look forward to going to daycare. The right day care can also make a big difference. Choose care providers that have a caring, patient attitude toward children in a clean, welcoming location.

Things You'll Need

• Special toys
• Snacks

Instructions

1. Stay with your child in the day care. Play with toys, read and show him that you accept this environment. Do this several times with him when he first begins attending day care on a regular basis. Spend an hour or more with him at the day care the first time, then gradually reduce the amount of time you spend there each visit.

2. Introduce your child to new friends while you visit the day care with him. He may start to look forward to going if he has friends waiting to greet him.

3. Allow your child to bring special toys or snacks to day care, as long as the providers approve. Some day care centers might have rules about certain toys, so always ask before doing this. The provider may need to hold snacks in another location until it's time to eat, because small children at the day care can choke on items that older kids bring.

4. Talk to your child about day care and get excited about these changes. Babies transitioning to day care may not understand, but toddlers and older kids can feed off your excitement. The Disney Family site says talking about changes takes away the mystery and helps prepare the child for what to expect.

5. Don't cry if you see your child getting upset, because your emotions can reflect on him and make him more uneasy. Smile, hug him and tell him everything is going to be all right. Distract him by playing with toys at the daycare before you leave. Sometimes saying goodbye helps the child, but other children might have an even harder time transitioning when it's time to say goodbye.

References

• Disney Family; Toddlers in Daycare -- How To Make An Easy Transition Into Daycare For You and Your Toddler; P. Christine Smith
• Disney Family; Toddlers and Separation Anxiety; Elizabeth Pantley

Resources

• Ask Dr. Sears: How do I Help My High-Need Baby Transition?