Back to school time comes with a whole mix of emotions for parents and children alike. Even if you don’t have kids that are in school yet, they are bound to be affected by those that are heading back to school. Some kids will love going to school, while other children will be terrified about a change from their usual daycare routine. Parents can have the same range of emotions as they try to deal with their children in different places and always the struggle of them growing up too fast. Regardless of how you feel, both the children and the parents are bound to be stressed at this time. Here are a few tips to help you along in these transitioning times.
Always Be Excited
Act excited, even if you aren’t! This will help your child be motivated and interested in these changes.
Always Be Interested
Even though you may feel overwhelmed, make sure you ask specific questions about school or their friends they might have who are going to school.
Take Some Time
Cut out some of the extras in your schedule to make time not only for your kids, but for yourself as well.
Make Sure to Show Attention to Your Kids Who Aren’t in School
It is a huge deal that one of your children is going to school, but you also need to make sure you give attention to those kids that aren’t. They will feel left out if you don’t.
Stay on Top of Schedules
Often during school, schedules become very complicated and hectic. Make sure your schedule matches up with your daycare providers.
It is a stressful and busy time for everyone when school starts and if you have children in daycare it can be very difficult to make everything work. It will be even more difficult if you do not follow these simple rules. You want your kids to be excited about school, happy about those that are going to school, and handling the changes well. As a parent you will need to have them responsive to being dropped off and picked up whether it is daycare or school. These simple rules should make it much easier for both children and their parents to make the difficult transition back to school from daycare.
With back to school now in full swing, the lives of all our families get much busier. It is a time of schedule changes and juggling our priorities to accommodate everyone’s needs. A bit of parenting advice that may be valuable to you is: get to know your child’s schoolmate’s parents like you do with the other daycare parents. You don’t have to be best friends or even do things with them outside of school. But it is a good idea to at least get to know their names and who their kids are.
Why should one parent get to know another parent?
We all have busy lives and we all have too much to do. This is true, but as a parent your primary responsibility is your children. When looking out for the welfare of your child either at school or at daycare, you should get to know those other parents and their children.
Not only does it make it more comfortable since you will get to know them, but it will allow you to stay more informed on what is going with daycare and school. As you talk to these other parents you can learn about them, their children and what they know of daycare or school events. They can help remind you if daycare is taking a day off or if school will be closed the next day.
Parental Payoffs
Not only is it nice to get to know other adults to talk to on the playground, you can also look to these daycare and school relationships in times of need. Maybe a big project is coming up, or your car broke down and you need help from someone, maybe getting your child to school. If you have even a passing relationship with another parent, you could contact them to see if they can help you out. You must be sure to never abuse these tentative relationships but most parents will understand the need to reach out once in a while for help. Most parents will also be happy to help you out since someday they may need to return the favor.
Make Dealing with Issues a Snap
Another one of the benefits of getting to know the other parents of the children that surround your own may make it easier to handle some issues that may come up. You don’t want your first words to another daycare parent to be about something negative, like behavioral issues. If you have already approached these parents and speak to them regularly, then talking to them about the inevitable issues that arise will be a snap. The situation will likely be much more amicable from the start and both parents can handle whatever issue arises with a smile.
Knack Parenting a Preschooler
There are many other benefits to getting to know those other parents of the children at school and daycare, such as being more comfortable at play dates, or at birthday parties, or knowing important information if something else comes up. You will already have an idea of who they are , which will go a long way toward building trust and ensuring your child’s safety. This will only help to strengthen your relationship with your children, their friends and their parents.
Back to school is an emotional and stressful time for both parents and children. Whether your child is heading back to school or not this time of year will likely mean changes for your children. Take the time and make the effort to make these changes as comfortable and easy for your children as possible.
A child who is not going to school will still be affected by others who are doing so. It is important to recognize this time and to prepare your child for the upcoming transitions.
All parents should take a close look at their children and make sure that they are prepared for this fun time. Make sure that you consider all your children, if you have more than one, and how they will see the changes in each other, themselves, and the nature of their days.
Daycare Children too Young for School
Even if your child is too young to attend school, they will be affected by school age children who attend daycare with them, or by changes the family experiences when older siblings return to school. Your child has gotten used to the various ages of the children they are around all day and during the summer this is often with school age children. Young children who are too young for school look up to older children with interest and admiration. They, like their parents, are often role models.
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This is a great opportunity for the older children to help to show preschoolers how fun and exciting school can be. Then you can discuss with the younger children what they are looking forward to when they go to school.
In order to get children in a back-to-school mood, they can play school together. This can be a fun game for all of them and has many benefits. It offers the older children a sense of pride to show the younger children at the daycare what they do in “big kid school”, and helps ease the transition from summer to school days. It also fosters some excitement in the younger children about what school is and helps to teach them a little about it. This is great so when the day comes that they go to school, they will not be as scared since they will have an idea of what to expect, and they’ll be excited to learn. Lastly, this will give the children some good quality time together before the older children are gone for the day and not at daycare.
Daycare Child Heading into Kindergarten
A remarkably important and vital milestone for all children is when they leave daycare and head to school. Even if they are in a preschool daycare environment, the change to Kindergarten is huge and should be handled with care. This is a time when you will set the stage for your child’s success throughout their scholastic career. Make sure to start on the right foot!
It is very important as a parent and a daycare provider to speak excitedly about school. Even if you were one of the many people who really did not enjoy school or if you struggled with it, it’s important not to portray school as something to dread. Implanting that idea into your children as they enter school is very detrimental. It is vital that you help your child get excited about school. They need to be excited about learning and hungry to learn new things.
School is a time that will test your children so be sure to talk about it well before they start and to answer as many questions as you can. It may take days for your child to process the idea of going to school, spending so much time away from friends and those they know. You as a parent need to make a great effort to help them transition into the next stage of their lives and to set the groundwork for their success in school.
This is a great time to play school with them. Go through the alphabet or count with them. Try to play games that are both fun and similar to those things they will encounter in school. They should be ready to enter school excited about starting.
Bring these things up with your daycare provider as well. Make sure they know your upcoming school schedule and help you to prepare your child for school. By reinforcing this as a parent and as their daycare provider it will make this monumental transition from daycare to school easier and better for the child.
During this time, try to empathize with your child. This is a major transition, so they will need a little attention or a little more space to more easily adjust to the new situation. This will also help you as a parent see what they may need for you more easily. It can be hard to do this as a parent, but your children are growing up. Give them the room they need to grow.
Daycare Child going Back to School
With children that have already been in school, this time is a bit easier for them. However, do not neglect to tap into their experience in school. They are likely going to the same school as some of the kids are that are just starting. Use these school age children’s knowledge to help you understand how school is today and to help those preschoolers that are becoming Kindergarteners.
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It can seem like the same old routine to those children that are already in school but parents need to remember the younger ones that aren’t in school as well. They may feel left out, alone or not as special as those who are heading back to school. So when you make plans for those children that are heading back to school also make plans for those children that are not going back to school. If you are going to go get back to school supplies for your older child, take your younger one as well and get them a few things.
Make sure to talk to your school age child and see what they thought about last year. What did they like? Was there anything they weren’t too fond of? Use their answers to help them through the next year of school. Each child is different and it is up to you as a parent to get them excited and ready to head back to school. I suggest having the child tell the younger ones about school and what they liked about it. This will help give them a sense of importance and pride and this alone can help get them in the mindset for school.
Back to School Changes at Daycare
No matter if your child is very young or almost done with daycare, this time of year is one of great importance. They will undoubtedly encounter many changes in the next month or so. As a parent you are responsible for making this time as easy as possible for them. Use what you know as a parent to make these transitions as easy as possible. Make sure to talk to your daycare provider and give them any insight or ideas to them about what you want to do. This is a fun and exciting time for both parents and children so do what you can to make the best out of it for everyone. This will help to lead you and your child to another successful year!
Many older children attend school during the day and only need daycare for a few hours before or after school. However, when summer vacation comes around, they need to stay at daycare the entire day. At a daycare center, it is less of a problem, since the kids will be engaging in activities appropriate for their age group. In a home daycare, however, the thought of hanging out with babies and toddlers all day is not so appealing to older kids. After the daily stimulation that school gives them, they may fear they will be very bored at daycare.
You may want to talk to your daycare provider to determine their plan for the older kids. Some daycares have a lot more activities, outside fun, and field trips planned for the summertime when they are not limited by the children’s school schedule. Nannies may also take advantage of the less confining schedule as well. City recreation centers may offer fun programs during the summer, where school-age children can engage in arts and crafts, sports, theater, dancing, etc. Daycare providers may take their charges to a local swimming pool on certain days in the summer, or take the kids to playgrounds and parks more often. There are lots of fairs and festivals to attend in the summertime, and possibly a field trip to a local farm (complete with baby animals in early summer).
Depending on your child’s age and readiness, you may want to look into a summer camp for your child to attend for a few weeks during their vacation. With a fun camp experience to look forward to, your child’s concern about how they will spend the long break may be minimized.
If your child has a friend from school, you may want to see if you and the child’s parent can work out a playdate for a few times during the summer. Maintaining that connection with a school friend may be important to your child. It’s easy to forget what they learned in the school year once summer comes around. Seeing a friend from school may help them to remember the things they enjoyed about school, including their friends and how much they enjoy learning!
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If you are planning a family vacation, you can work on making it a learning experience for your older child. A child who has some math skills or map reading skills can help determine a budget for the vacation or try to find some fun places to visit along the way on a road trip.
If you can help supplement your daycare provider’s activities with some fun activities of your own, your child may find they don’t mind the change from attending school during the day to attending daycare during the day. Just be aware, they might have so much fun in the summer they may not want to go back to school!
Sometimes kids need some help adjusting to daycare. Or maybe they need some confidence in going to preschool or daycare. Their routines are their lives and it can be hard to get them used to something out of their routine. If your child needs a little help you might want to try getting them a book of their own about daycare. It can help them learn about how fun daycare or preschool can be.
Carl the rottweiler takes charge when things take an unexpected turn at the day care center he is visiting.
It can be very helpful to address this anxiety at home and away from daycare. A story you read to them frequently about daycare can help them get comfortable with the idea, even excited. So give it a try even if you are just thinking about daycare!
The first week in an in-home daycare will be a very important week for you, your child and the provider you chose. You’ll have to get used to how each other handles the daily routine. Make sure that you’ve talked to your child about the upcoming changes in their routine and the exciting new daycare they are about to attend. This can be a difficult time for everyone as they adjust to this new change. Just remember to take it one day a time, be patient, and maintain open and honest communication.
Transitions for Young Children
It’s very important to make sure that you prepare yourself as well as your child for starting in this new in-home daycare. Talk to your child frequently in the days leading up to beginning. Answer any questions your child may have and make your best effort to help your child be comfortable with this idea. They’ll be going into a stranger’s house with strange people and children they don’t know. This can be very difficult for child who has known only comfort and familiar faces.
Routines and Transitions
Make sure to schedule plenty of extra time in your daily schedule for this first week so you can properly drop your child off and pick them up. Give yourself an extra fifteen minutes to a half an hour for both drop off and pick up for your first week. For the drop-off, you will likely need to hang out with your child for awhile until they get comfortable with their new situation. The new provider will probably get the child playing with the other children right away. This will help your child feel better about the new daycare. When you pick them up make sure to speak with the daycare provider about the details of their day and how your child did. Make sure to offer lots of praises to your child as this will surely help them to warm up to the new daycare.
The first week at the in-home daycare is your chance to make sure the standard of care is at your desired level. This is the best time to make any adjustments for the long-term. Most daycare providers will be very receptive to making some minor changes should it make the parents and the child happy. If you see anything drastic, be sure to bring it up immediately so that it can be addressed. Once a certain amount of time passes both your provider, and you, will have an unspoken agreement about how care is handled. It’s easier to make minor adjustments during the first week.
Children Starting School
During this first week you also want to make sure the daycare provider has all of the equipment and supplies they may need. For younger children in diapers this means you’ll have to supply all the necessary things surrounding a diaper change: diapers, wet wipes, any creams or ointments. You should also provide an extra set of clothes or two in case they get messy. You may even need to supply an extra car seat should they take any trips. Some daycare providers will also want you to leave coats, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen and possibly other things to help them take care of your child. Make an effort to get all these to them as soon as possible.
Preschooler Problem Solver
The right in-home daycare can be the toughest to find. In home daycares can provide some of the most benefit once you find the right one for you. It’s important to start early, remain diligent, and make sure that the daycare fits your needs. If you make this effort, you’ll be rewarded by a high quality in-home daycare that will take great care of your children. Hopefully a long lasting bond of friendship will forge between the children as well as you and the daycare provider. This kind of care can be ideal. Bringing the social setting of a few kids together with the focused personal attention that children need and deserve, it is no wonder that in-home daycare is so popular and widely used.
The first week a new daycare center is going to be an important one. It is important to do your best to do it right, prepare your child correctly, and work with the daycare center to make sure this transition goes as smooth as absolutely possible. This first week may well end up shaping you and your child’s overall experience with this daycare center. You don’t want your child to dislike the daycare center or have to fight them every time you drop them off. Remember to have an extra amount of patience during this first week with your child as this is a very difficult time for them. This will help to make a happy daycare center experience.
Meeting New Friends
Once you’ve signed all the papers and your start date for the new daycare center is set, make sure to ask the administration specifically how the first few days are going to go. It may be a little different as they will certainly have their own methods to integrate your child into their daycare facility. Do your best to follow these procedures that they give you to help with this transition. They will likely tell you a few things to do when you arrive to get used to the daily drop off and pick up schedule. Make sure that you speak with your child about this transition ahead of time so they are excited and eager to start the new daycare center. If you spring this decision on them as you are dropping them off for the first day you’re guaranteed to have a lot of problems. Do what you can to generate excitement in your child about starting with the daycare center because this will really help them prepare for this new experience.
Make sure to give yourself plenty of time this first week while dropping them off and picking them up. You may have questions for the administration or teachers and they may have questions for you. Be prepared to spend a little extra time there than you will normally to make sure everyone is on the same page. You should also have some extra time to comfortably drop your child off. Most daycare centers will encourage you to hang out for a few minutes in the morning to help your child adjust to the new classroom and the new people. You definitely don’t want your child to think you are abandoning them in this unfamiliar environment. So take your time, help them feel comfortable as you introduce the teacher and the children. You may even want to sit down with the teacher and your child and start playing a game or with some of the toys. This will help to distract them and allow you to leave without tears.
The Fairy Twins: Land of New Friends
This routine should last through the week and then you can gradually wean your child off the heavy attention this first week demands. Eventually you would like to get your child to the point where you sign them in, give them a hug, and then let them run off to their daycare friends. Be sure not to push your child too much and allow them the time they’ll need to feel comfortable in this new daycare center. Don’t be too surprised though if there is nothing that can be done to calm your child, and you have to leave when he or she is crying. It is heartbreaking, but usually they’ve stopped crying by the time you’ve reached your car in the parking lot.
Make sure to touch base daily with your child’s teacher to ask how they’re doing and if there is anything you can do to help. Make sure that you stay connected during this first week to the needs of your child to as well as the daycare center. This is a transition time for you and your child. Make it’s the best you can and you’ll have a pleasant and lasting daycare center experience.
Back to school time comes with a whole mix of emotions for parents and children alike. Even if you don’t have kids that are in school yet, they are bound to be affected by those that are heading back to school. Some kids will love going to school, while other children will be terrified about a change from their usual daycare routine. Parents can have the same range of emotions as they try to deal with their children in different places and always the struggle of them growing up too fast. Regardless of how you feel, both the children and the parents are bound to be stressed at this time. Here are a few tips to help you along in these transitioning times.
With back to school now in full swing, the lives of all our families get much busier. It is a time of schedule changes and juggling our priorities to accommodate everyone’s needs. A bit of parenting advice that may be valuable to you is: get to know your child’s schoolmate’s parents like you do with the other daycare parents. You don’t have to be best friends or even do things with them outside of school. But it is a good idea to at least get to know their names and who their kids are.
Many older children attend school during the day and only need daycare for a few hours before or after school. However, when summer vacation comes around, they need to stay at daycare the entire day. At a daycare center, it is less of a problem, since the kids will be engaging in activities appropriate for their age group. In a home daycare, however, the thought of hanging out with babies and toddlers all day is not so appealing to older kids. After the daily stimulation that school gives them, they may fear they will be very bored at daycare.
The first week in an 
