Nervous About The First Day? 3 Ways To Help Your Kid Adjust To A New Day Care
You have spent the past few weeks researching child care programs, and you know that your kid's first day is soon to arrive. While you know that their program and the staff is perfect for stimulating their development, your kid may be a little apprehensive. After all, moving to a new environment always requires a little adjustment. As you prepare for your kid's first day, use these tips to help them adjust to the new program.
Read Books Together
Reading together is a great way to introduce new concepts to young children. Look for age-appropriate books at your local library or bookstore that address what it is like to go to daycare for the first time. Then, read it with your child, and talk about the things that they see. Since repetition is important for helping young children grasp new concepts, make sure to read it a few times before your child's first day.
Take a Tour of the Classroom
Visiting the child care center before the first day is a great way to let your kid see what it will be like while you are able to stay nearby for support. Often, just seeing a classroom full of learning materials and children playing is all it takes to get a kid excited about their new routine. During the tour, ask your child's teacher to show them important highlights such as their cubby where they will store their belongings. After your tour, be sure to follow it up by letting your kid ask questions about the things that they experienced.
Stick to a Schedule
Kids thrive on a routine, and it is best to keep things the same as much as possible during their first few days in a new program. If possible, start your new routine the week before, and make sure that your child is getting enough sleep at night. Having a few practice runs under your belt will help to make sure those first few mornings run smoothly so that your child arrives at their new classroom relaxed and ready to get to know their teacher and classmates.
Finding the right program for your child was the first step, and now it is time to begin helping them adjust. By laying the groundwork at home, your kid will be ready to enter their classroom with a fresh mindset that allows them to grow and thrive in their new program. For more information or advice, contact a school such as Woodcrest Preschool.