How to Help a Child Feel Comfortable in a New Daycare Facility
As more women choose to work outside the home, the rates of child admission in daycare increase. Seventy percent of parents will use daycare at some point in their child's development. Because of this trend, daycares have changed from becoming babysitting services to comprehensive learning centers. However, attending a daycare for the first time, or attending a new daycare, can be stressful for a young child.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Visit the daycare with your child before she attends for the first time. Meet all the teachers and introduce her to some of the other children. Knowing a little about the daycare will decrease her anxiety about attending.
-
2
Talk to her about her worries before she attends the daycare. Reassure her that it is going to be a fun place and that she will enjoy learning and playing with other children.
-
-
3
Help her get acclimated the first day. Assist her in putting away her belongings and make sure she is settled before you leave.
-
4
Inquire about her day when you return. Ask to see what drawings or worksheets she has completed. Taking an active interest in your child's activities will make her feel important and that the work she does is special, and she will look forward to going to daycare.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Do not take any toys or anything that is very special to her to the daycare. Most daycares do not allow toys from home because of the possibility of the children fighting over them. Further, items that are important to her might get lost or damaged.
If your child cries when you leave, remember this is normal separation anxiety. Do your best to reassure her and then leave. If you linger you will encourage her to be upset or validate her feelings that daycare is something to worry about.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
