Send Positive Signals
Your child looks to you for cues about how to respond to new social situations. Make sure to tour your child's new daycare program and get acquainted with the staff. This will allow you to project confidence as you prepare your child for drop-off. This, in turn, will cause them to respond better when it's time to say goodbye.
Read Books Together
Kids naturally respond to books, and reading about what your child can expect at daycare can help them visualize a normal day in their new program. During your initial tour, ask your child's new teacher for suggestions of age-appropriate titles that are perfect to read together before the first day.
Practice the New Routine
A move to a new childcare program often coincides with changes in your routine such as having an earlier wake-up time. Start practicing the new routine a week or two before you begin daycare. This will help to prevent tantrums that are caused by being overtired.
It also helps to find out the schedule that your child will be using at their daycare program. If possible, try to eat lunch at home around the same time that they will in their classroom, and discuss other things that they will do during the day such as going outside to play.
Streamline Your Morning
As you help your child adjust to the new schedule, consider rearranging your own schedule so that the mornings go easier. For instance, you can pick out your child's clothing the night before and have their lunches ready to go. Stress-free mornings will allow you and your child to have happier drop-offs.
Create a Goodbye Ritual
Routines provide children with a sense of comfort, and establishing a special goodbye ritual increases the bond between you and your child. Think of a simple gesture to make, such as giving each other a high five or rubbing noses, and make sure to do it each day as you leave.
Send a Comfort Object
When you enroll your child in a daycare program, ask if your child can bring a small comfort object such as a picture of you to keep in their cubby. Alternatively, your child might enjoy a special blanket to snuggle with as they nap. Either way, having a familiar object from home will provide your child with reassurance during the day.
Arrange for a Short Visit
Small children sometimes fear the unknown, and a tour of their new classroom instantly lets them see that daycare is a fun and safe place where they can spend the day. During this first visit, let your child's behavior guide your actions. For instance, you might play with them for a minute and back away as other kids join in.
Follow Up With Your Child's Teacher
When it is pickup time, check in with your child's teacher to find out how their first day went. Although some tears are normal on the first day, you should hear that they adjusted and got involved with activities during the day. Use the information that the teacher gives you to initiate a conversation about how much fun your child had once you get home.
The childcare team at Riviera Children's Center strives to make sure that every child is comfortable from the moment they walk through the door. For more ideas on how to make the transition to a new daycare program easier, contact them today.
