Leaving your child at a childcare centre for the first time can be daunting and stressful. Whilst some children cope well with the change, others find it a struggle due to separation anxiety.
Childcare brings about new opportunities for growth and development in your child, but it can also trigger feelings of separation anxiety. To be able to properly transition your child who suffers from separation anxiety, you will need to be patient and understanding.
All children are different, which means that it could take a few trial and error to discover which transition strategies work best for you. So, what strategies can you begin to implement to help with a smooth transition into childcare?
Visit the Childcare Centre
Before your child’s first day, you could introduce them to the childcare centre to help them become familiar with the surroundings, the new adults and the play areas. This will help your child to feel more safe and secure on their first day.
Practice Short Separations
Start introducing short separations with your child before their first day at childcare. This could involve leaving them with someone they trust who is not one of their primary caregivers, and in time expanding the amount of time you are separated from them. This helps your child to learn that they arent being abandoned when they are separated from you because you will always come back. This builds trust and reduces their anxieties when you leave, helping prepare them for their first day in childcare.
Transitional Objects
If your child owns a comforter, such as a teddy bear, then this should come with them to the childcare on their first day to help them feel safe.
Encourage Communication
It is important to openly discuss childcare with your child and answer any questions they might have. You should be encouraging them to express their feelings, whether that be negative or positive. Make sure to validate their emotions, and reassure them that you will pick them up at the end of the day.
Looking for a childcare centre in Papatoetoe? Here at Koru Kids Papatoetoe, we believe in being more than just a daycare centre in Papatoetoe; we know that we form the basis of growth and adaptability in our children’s lives. With us, every child feels a sense of belonging. Get in touch with us today to apply.