The Day Care Benefit

You've heard all the nasty rumors about day care.In addition to learning socialization skills, your son may
Too many kids and too few caregivers. Lots ofalso have the opportunity to learn some of the
sneezing and wheezing. That little guy who's alwaysbasics such as the alphabet and numbers, and he's
grabbing your child's toy. Everyone's got a story. Butalways increasing his vocabulary. This pre-preschool
you have to get back to work and you have nolearning environment gives your child an understanding
choice. What's a good parent to do?of what will be expected of him once he enters
Let's concentrate on the positive. There are plentykindergarten. He learns to sit and listen, and is able to
of benefits to sending your child to day care. If youaccept the information that will be thrust upon him in
consider some of these benefits, it will help youschool. He learns the value of teamwork and to
come to terms with your own decision, whether yourespect the opinions and emotions of others. Entering
have a choice or not. Once you understand, you'll feelschool for the first time is challenging for all children,
you're helping your child grow into a well rounded,but those who have been in day care benefit by
happy child instead of feeling guilty about sticking himalready having exposure to a classroom-like
in day care.environment.
Babies need interaction with other children. It's neverOnce your daughter enters school, day care can help
too early to start engaging your son in activities withwith homework. Some day care facilities even offer
other children, whether his own age, toddlers or olderafter-school extracurricular activities like scout
children. Learning to interact with other kids preparesmeetings, dance class, martial arts and on-site
your son for his first real school experience. Day caregymnastics instruction. Once she is in school her
is a gentler environment, there are less rules andhorizons begin to broaden.
more flexibility than strict teachers may impose inAs you can see, there are many benefits to placing
school.your child in a licensed, qualified day care situation.
Children benefit from day care by learningAnd remember that even though your child is away
self-control, how to get along with others, and howfrom you for a portion of his day, it is really the
to share. They begin to learn all about friendship.parents that make the most difference in his life.
Without day care, your daughter only knows you;When he gets home from day care after spending a
you are her whole world. How scary would it be tolong day away from you, he will be bursting to tell
get into school at age four or five and find out thatyou all about his day. Ask him questions about his
Mom isn't there with her? Children benefit from dayfriends, his teachers, his subjects. He will share his
care by expanding their world to include people otherday with you no matter what his age is, and getting
than their parents.him to vividly describe his day is exciting to a child
Separation anxiety will be lessened (or not an issue atespecially if you show interest. Of course you're
all) when your child enters school if she's been in dayinterested, aren't you? After all, this child, a mini
care. She's already used to being away from you forversion of yourself, is taking on the world one day at
some time during the day. She's learned how toa time, and the choices and desires he has will be a
make new friends and can be content without yourdirect reflection of you. Make the most of that
undivided attention. The transition from home toopportunity while you can - children are only children
school is far less difficult for those who'veonce.
experienced day care.