The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the life of people all over the globe. People were forced inside their homes and offices and schools were shut down. Families had to navigate these uncertain and stressful situations. Since family members spent a lot of time together, it is possible that your child got used to having you around at all times. If you are starting day care center for the first time, don’t forget to search ‘best day care near me’, on the web to find one that suits your needs the best.
So, if you are now preparing to get your child back to their routines with the day care centers, here are a few tips that will help you do the same:
1. Listen to Them
When your child is talking to you about something that worries them, you have to listen to them and take their concerns seriously. If you have young children, you can ask them to talk about everything that will happen at the child care center and even try acting. This should include you picking them up from the day care centre.
2. Prepare Them
Because of the pandemic, there might be some changes in rules of your day care centre. Make sure that you learn them and go over them with your child. Talk to them about how they are feeling. If you or your child have any main concerns, you should inform the child care center and their teacher.
3. Be Calm
It is important for you to remember that your child will pick up on your behavioral cues. If you want to make them feel safe and relaxed, you have to model calm behavior yourself.
4. Have a Goodbye Plan
If you want to ensure that you don’t have a difficult goodbye, here are a few things that you can try:
- Have a positive goodbye.
- Tell them that you are leaving and don’t forget to give them a clear and short explanation for this.
- Remind that you will be there to pick them up at a specific time.
- While leaving, don’t hesitate or give attention to their cries or antics.
- Don’t return before the planned time.
- Have the same goodbye routine everyday.
It is normal for a child to feel reluctant or nervous to return to the day care centre or preschool, especially since they have been studying at home for so long. Be honest to them about what they should expect at the preschool. Reassure them that you will be there for them and there are safety measures to keep them safe.