HELPING YOUR CHILD ADJUST TO CHILD CARE
Pat Tweedie
Child Care Aware Project Assistant
Oklahoma State University
Your child may take several weeks to feel comfortable at a new child care place. Spend time with your child during this period. Do not lose patience. Show your child you love him or her by hugging and talking with him or her. Talk about your day at work and your child's day at childcare. Let your child know you think of him or her often and that you like to be together at the end of the day.
If your child is between 6 and 12 months old, he or she may begin to cry when you leave. This is normal. Your child is beginning to know how special you are, and he or she misses you. From now on, even as an adult, your child will have these feelings from time to time and may cry when leaving you. If you talk about these feelings with your children, they will learn to manage them as they grow.
Sometimes your child will adjust to childcare right away. After several weeks, your child may begin crying when you leave. Again, be patient and talk with him or her. Talk with the childcare provider. Together you can help your child feel better.
Some children refuse to eat or nap at first. A loving provider will help your child feel safe and comfortable. Tell the provider about your child and family so she or he can talk with your child about family, home, pets, etc.
Try not to make any major changes in your child's life during this time of adjustment. Potty training or moving to another home may be harder for your child during this time.
Keep life simple at home. Try to plan ahead so you do not have to rush each morning.
Ask other parents how they helped their children become used to childcare. One parent and her son made cookies together for snack. Another parent let his daughter invite a classmate over to play.
Try not to show your unhappiness when your child is slow to adjust. This will make your child unhappy. Get to know the childcare provider and spend time at the program. This will help you both feel more comfortable.
REFERENCES:Donegan, M. et al., "Making the Transition to Group Care," Exceptional Parent, February 1995, pp. 29-31.
Fish, M. and J. Belsky, "Temperament and Attachment Revisited: Origin and Meaning of Separation Intolerance at Age Three," American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 61(3), 1991, pp. 418-427.
"Getting Your Child Ready for School ... And the School Ready for Your Child," Arlington, Va.: American Association of School Administrators, 1992.
Lally, R. J. "The Impact of Child Care Policies and Practices on Infant/Toddler Identity Formation," Young Children, 51n1, 1995, pp. 58-67.
Pat Tweedie
Child Care Aware Project Assistant
Oklahoma State University
Your child may take several weeks to feel comfortable at a new child care place. Spend time with your child during this period. Do not lose patience. Show your child you love him or her by hugging and talking with him or her. Talk about your day at work and your child's day at childcare. Let your child know you think of him or her often and that you like to be together at the end of the day.
If your child is between 6 and 12 months old, he or she may begin to cry when you leave. This is normal. Your child is beginning to know how special you are, and he or she misses you. From now on, even as an adult, your child will have these feelings from time to time and may cry when leaving you. If you talk about these feelings with your children, they will learn to manage them as they grow.
Sometimes your child will adjust to childcare right away. After several weeks, your child may begin crying when you leave. Again, be patient and talk with him or her. Talk with the childcare provider. Together you can help your child feel better.
Some children refuse to eat or nap at first. A loving provider will help your child feel safe and comfortable. Tell the provider about your child and family so she or he can talk with your child about family, home, pets, etc.
Try not to make any major changes in your child's life during this time of adjustment. Potty training or moving to another home may be harder for your child during this time.
Keep life simple at home. Try to plan ahead so you do not have to rush each morning.
Ask other parents how they helped their children become used to childcare. One parent and her son made cookies together for snack. Another parent let his daughter invite a classmate over to play.
Try not to show your unhappiness when your child is slow to adjust. This will make your child unhappy. Get to know the childcare provider and spend time at the program. This will help you both feel more comfortable.
REFERENCES:Donegan, M. et al., "Making the Transition to Group Care," Exceptional Parent, February 1995, pp. 29-31.
Fish, M. and J. Belsky, "Temperament and Attachment Revisited: Origin and Meaning of Separation Intolerance at Age Three," American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 61(3), 1991, pp. 418-427.
"Getting Your Child Ready for School ... And the School Ready for Your Child," Arlington, Va.: American Association of School Administrators, 1992.
Lally, R. J. "The Impact of Child Care Policies and Practices on Infant/Toddler Identity Formation," Young Children, 51n1, 1995, pp. 58-67.