It can be hard for you and your child to separate on the first day of daycare. Check out our tips on dealing with separation anxiety so that you and your child can have a smooth process of transitioning between home and the care center.
Meet the Teacher Before Daycare Starts
Sometimes, a daycare will have a meet the teacher where parents can bring their kids into the daycare the week or so before the daycare starts. If the daycare doesn’t have an official meet the teacher, ask the teacher if he or she can meet you and your child so that your child is familiar with the new environment and will feel more comfortable with the teacher. While you and your child are visiting the daycare, take the time to see where toys, snacks, and activities are located so that your child will feel more comfortable with the new environment. If you would like to arrange a meeting with a Riley Crossing teacher, please contact us.
Stay Calm and Don’t Linger
Your child can tell if you are nervous or worried, so remember that the more calm and positive you are, the more likely that your child will be prone to relax. One the first day of daycare, help your child get settled and make the transition, but honor the daycare’s rules for when it’s time to leave and let the teacher take over. If you linger for too long, baby your child, or if you are too abrupt, the transition will be harder to deal with for both you and your child.
Implement Routines
Children like having routines and knowing what’s going to happen next. Keeping a consistent routine can help relax your child and help him or her through the transition between home and daycare. If your child knows that brushing teeth comes after breakfast and heading to daycare comes after brushing teeth each morning, he or she may feel comforted by knowing what will happen next.
Remind Your Child That You are Coming Back
Let your child know that you aren’t leaving forever. When you are leaving, tell them that you will see them at the end of the day and that you can’t wait until you get to hear about the fun things that they learned that day. Once your child gets used to the routine at daycare, makes new friends and enjoys fun activities, they will begin to understand that you will be coming back every day for pick up.
Make a Goodbye Ritual
If you plan to use the same goodbye ritual, this will train your child that after you say something like “I love you, see you later,” then you will have to leave. It may take time to establish a goodbye ritual, but after a while, your child will know what to expect.
At Riley Crossing Child Care, we have educated and caring teachers and staff that can help your child with separation anxiety and the transition to a new environment. Our teachers set up and facilitate the environment for all children to reach their potential and our play through exploration philosophy provides an environment where children can explore throughout the day in classroom learning centers, large muscle activities, MacPhail music times, and small group instruction at their own pace. We also offer a unique intergenerational program that brings multiple generations together in a stimulating co-learning environment.
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References:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/working-moms-ease-separation-anxiety-3545065
https://www.today.com/parents/8-tips-easier-daycare-drop-both-parent-child-t35421