How happy is your little one? If you notice that they seem bored of complacent, the problem might lie in the fact that they are incredibly bored. I realized that my own kids were struggling with boredom a few years back, so I started focusing on child education. I got a copy of the school curriculum their teachers were using, and then I worked with them day in and day out to teach them what they needed to know. I found that they really took a shining to the whole concept of education, and it was really neat to see how much better they reacted towards lessons.
Prepping Your Toddler--And Yourself--For Day Care
Some parents find day care to be an exciting but terrifying prospect. Interacting with new kids and acclimating to a classroom environment seems stimulating and interesting for your child, but you may also worry that your child will struggle communicating with kids and staffers or that they'll cry throughout the day, missing you. How can your family increase the happiness and excitement of this time and lower concerns for everyone?
Get the Schedule
One issue for some children is that a day care learning center has a completely different schedule than they have inside their parents' house. This can cause fatigue, tantrums, and a hard morning every morning. If you don't get things rolling until nine or ten AM, for example, it's going to be an uphill situation getting your 2- or 3-year-old to suddenly accept waking and dressing hours earlier. To ease things, get the schedule and put it on the fridge. Then start using it. Get up earlier, try similar activities for the same periods of time, and relax or sleep at the center's naptime. When they must do these things with children and teachers, it's easier.
Consider Potty Training
Many experts point to the period between 27 and 32 months as the prime time to get potty training done. Since that lines up with the time when many kids first try day care, this period could be a natural time to consider the task. However, you should attempt that process some weeks before they appear at a day care's doorstep. Too much pressure about doing it before day care or avoiding relapses could make everyone uncomfortable. Take it slow; if it's just not working out, don't feel badly about sending your child with a change of clothing and some disposable training pants.
Ensure you give staffers some indication of where your child is with regard to toilet training. That way, they'll know to remind them to use the bathroom or ensure that they're checking for training-pant wetness.
Communicate Positively
Guiding your toddler likely feels normal. For them, you must guide your own behavior and actions too. Tears may well up when your reflect on how old your baby has grown, especially when you're in the center on that first day. However, that day is the time to smile, give pep talks, and encourage your child. Cry out of their view. Your overall goal should be to communicate to their little minds that day care is good for them.
Your preparation and the encouragement you give your toddler is important. Day care experiences are better when preparation is seen as necessary and positive.
For more information on how to prepare your toddler for day care, contact organizations like Chris Learning Center.