Dealing with separation anxiety at child care

The formative years of your child's life are crucial for shaping their future. When they're attending child care, the setting they're in has the potential to shape their academic and professional future. Here's how.

Existing in a Stimulating Environment

High-quality child care facilities offer stimulating environments that spark a child's curiosity in the world around them. Activities such as puzzles and areas like reading corners allow them to broaden their minds, giving them a thirst for learning. They also engage in interactive play, which helps them develop problem-solving skills. Many facilities also offer structured learning, which is essential for ensuring children grow accustomed to routines. Structured learning also instils a sense of discipline, making it easier for them to follow rules when they reach school.

Developing Social Skills

When children attend child care, they're no longer existing mostly on their own terms. They learn to share attention and cooperate with other children. Team games and group activities help them learn the fine art of working with others and understanding new perspectives. Of course, conflicts do arise, but conflict resolution is also an essential skill for little ones. They learn to manage emotions and handle anger, which will serve them well as they grow older in the world. Finally, they'll learn to adapt to social hierarchies and understand the nuances of socialising with people of varying ages.

Parent-Childcare Partnership

Using a child care facility gives you the chance to adopt a new partnership with your little one. They'll want to experience consistency between their home and child care environment. By communicating regularly with your provider about issues like dietary needs, you'll help your child see that the world outside is just as exciting as their home. You can also create shared learning goals and help to drive the way they develop in their new setting. Providers are excellent at creating reports, which you can use to help your child flourish. Finally, by helping them explore the outside world, you also enhance their sense of trust. In itself, this is a great confidence-building exercise.

Child care is about much more than finding a convenient solution while you work. It's an opportunity to help your child flourish and build their character. You'll help them lay the foundations for their academic and personal growth. As a parent, you'll experience the joy that comes with seeing them have new experiences, and you may both make lots of friends along the way.

For more information on child care, contact a professional near you.