Carousel Corner Preschool and Childcare Center
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Carousel Corner Preschool and Childcare Center
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Dropping Your Child Off At Daycare Does your child cry when you drop them off at daycare? Do they cling to your legs and whine? Do they clutch your shoulders when you try to put them down? Are you going crazy with guilt? Here's help for you!
Helping your child adjust to a new surrounding can be a very stressful time for you as well as for your child. This is when good communication between you and the caregiver is most important.
Parents, too, experience pain at separation, and the younger the child, the more intense the pain. The childcare provider should help parents with separation by:
If your child is a Toddler or older, discuss with your caregiver, the possibility of dropping by
for short visits before your child’s first day. During your visit, discuss with your child the fact
that this is where he/she will be spending the day while you are at work. Frequently use the caregiver’s name and describe all the wonderful things that will make up the day. The more cheerful your behavior is, and the more excited you appear, the more excited and relaxed your child will become. If your child has not been use to getting up early, you may consider getting them into an earlier bedtime routine a week or two before starting daycare or preschool, and allowing them to awaken at an earlier time in the morning. A child that is overly tired will tend to be clingy or more irritable when you drop them off at the caregiver.
On that big first day, remember to keep that positive and excited attitude as you prepare your child for
the day ahead. Remember; any reservations or apprehensions that you may have, will be picked up by your
little one. Once inside, tell your child in a relaxed and cheerful voice, how proud you are of them, and remind them of how much fun they are going to have, how much you love them and assure them that you will return for them right after work. Say to them, in a happy voice, "Mom (Dad) is going to work now. I will be back later when I'm done. You have lots of fun things to do today too!" By telling your child you'll be back, this assures them you are not abandoning them. This is your cue to leave. If your child begins to get upset, the longer you stay, the more upset the child will become. Make your drop off time quick and pleasant. Don't prolong your stay, as this shows the child you are reluctant to leave them there. If you are uncomfortable about leaving your child , they will be able to read that in your actions. Please try to hold back your tears until you are out the door. Seeing a parent cry will only make the child afraid. Any one who has had to leave their precious little one with a caregiver or teacher, knows the feeling you get when you hear your child call for you and you have to walk away. This is a big step in your life as well as theirs. The more you stick your head back into the room, the more your child will try to convince you to stay or to take them with you. Never sneak out when your child isn’t looking! This will only increase a child's fear of separation and abandonment. Give them a quick hug and a kiss and say goodbye. Do not pick up your child! The transition will be harder if you have to pull your child off your body. A good caregiver will encourage you to listen at the door, or call when you arrive at your destination to see how your little one is doing. Remember that a caregiver has other children to care for, so discuss with them the right time to call, or if possible, to leave a message for them to call back when they have time. Providers suggest that you not do this daily; once or twice during a child's first week of separation anxiety is normally acceptable. It may be very hard to believe, but children generally do calm down almost immediately after the parent leaves the building. This is when the child is comforted by the caregiver and is introduced to his or her new friends. Most children are done crying by the time you are even out of the driveway. Your childcare provider will certainly let you know if your child cried all day. Trust your provider. They have been through this dozens of times and know what to do with your child. Some children never cry at drop off. Others will cry each day at drop off for months. The length of time depends on how the parents handle it. Parents who are confident and positive at drop off will present this image to their child, who will learn to trust that his parents will return. If your child is happy and content when you pick them up in the afternoon, then he or she is probably happy throughout most of the day. Sometimes it is best if the first days at daycare are short days, with the child picked up before naptime. Naptime seems to be the roughest time for separation anxiety, so it may be best to avoid it in the first days. The toddler's time at the center should then be increased each day, leading up to, and eventually through, naptime. The child care facility should warn parents in advance about the busiest drop-off time in the mornings, so that it may be avoided at first. The bustling atmosphere of a busy center might be intimidating for a newcomer. If your caregiver allows, you may consider giving your child “a little piece of home” to keep with them during the day. This could be a favorite blanket or toy, a picture of Mom or Dad, or special stuffed animal that the child can keep in their “cubbie”. They can go and get it out when they are feeling lonely. Another thing to do is give your child a special job, for example, allow them to hold your sunglasses for the day, saying that you will be back to get them for the drive home. I’ve also heard of parents giving their child a large plastic baby toy key, and having the child keep the “key to your heart” while at daycare. If you decide to offer such items, please make sure that your choice is child safe and age appropriate, and allowed in the home or daycare center. You may also wish to discuss when the caregiver allows blankets to be taken out. Many times such items are only allowed out during nap time. This is when good open communication is important. Always have your questions answered and find out how your child will be consoled when you leave. In order to continue a smooth transition from the first day onward, you and your child should establish a daily routine. Discuss with your child things such as; “Tomorrow you can play with all of your new friends again!”. Set a specific time for bed, and awaken them the same way each morning. Try not to be rushed in the morning. If possible have one parent drop the child off each morning and have the other parent do the afternoon pick-ups. For instance, Mom takes the mornings, and Dad does the afternoon pick-ups. This type of routine helps reassure the child that they will not be forgotten by you at daycare. In summary: If you see positive things in your child's daycare, chances are you can head off to work knowing your child will be just fine. Separation anxiety is normal in young children and parents. But it can be difficult to head off to work when your child's cries are echoing in your head. However, if you follow these steps to making drop off times more relaxed and happy, you and your child will both learn to work through separation anxiety together. With consistency and a well practiced routine, your child will make a quick adjustment to daycare or preschool; and just think of all the friends they will make, and experiences they will have to fill their day! For More Information Contact: |
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