| You've heard all the nasty rumors about day | | | | |
| care. Too many kids and too few caregivers. | | | | In addition to learning socialization skills, |
| Lots of sneezing and wheezing. That little | | | | your son may also have the opportunity to |
| guy who's always grabbing your child's toy. | | | | learn some of the basics such as the alphabet |
| Everyone's got a story. But you have to get | | | | and numbers, and he's always increasing his |
| back to work and you have no choice. What's a | | | | vocabulary. This pre-preschool learning |
| good parent to do? | | | | environment gives your child an understanding |
| | | | of what will be expected of him once he |
| Let's concentrate on the positive. There are | | | | enters kindergarten. He learns to sit and |
| plenty of benefits to sending your child to | | | | listen, and is able to accept the information |
| day care. If you consider some of these | | | | that will be thrust upon him in school. He |
| benefits, it will help you come to terms with | | | | learns the value of teamwork and to respect |
| your own decision, whether you have a choice | | | | the opinions and emotions of others. Entering |
| or not. Once you understand, you'll feel | | | | school for the first time is challenging for |
| you're helping your child grow into a well | | | | all children, but those who have been in day |
| rounded, happy child instead of feeling | | | | care benefit by already having exposure to a |
| guilty about sticking him in day care. | | | | classroom-like environment. |
| | | | |
| Babies need interaction with other children. | | | | Once your daughter enters school, day care |
| It's never too early to start engaging your | | | | can help with homework. Some day care |
| son in activities with other children, | | | | facilities even offer after-school |
| whether his own age, toddlers or older | | | | extracurricular activities like scout |
| children. Learning to interact with other | | | | meetings, dance class, martial arts and |
| kids prepares your son for his first real | | | | on-site gymnastics instruction. Once she is |
| school experience. Day care is a gentler | | | | in school her horizons begin to broaden. |
| environment, there are less rules and more | | | | |
| flexibility than strict teachers may impose | | | | As you can see, there are many benefits to |
| in school. | | | | placing your child in a licensed, qualified |
| | | | day care situation. And remember that even |
| Children benefit from day care by learning | | | | though your child is away from you for a |
| self-control, how to get along with others, | | | | portion of his day, it is really the parents |
| and how to share. They begin to learn all | | | | that make the most difference in his life. |
| about friendship. Without day care, your | | | | |
| daughter only knows you; you are her whole | | | | When he gets home from day care after |
| world. How scary would it be to get into | | | | spending a long day away from you, he will be |
| school at age four or five and find out that | | | | bursting to tell you all about his day. Ask |
| Mom isn't there with her? Children benefit | | | | him questions about his friends, his |
| from day care by expanding their world to | | | | teachers, his subjects. He will share his day |
| include people other than their parents. | | | | with you no matter what his age is, and |
| | | | getting him to vividly describe his day is |
| Separation anxiety will be lessened (or not | | | | exciting to a child especially if you show |
| an issue at all) when your child enters | | | | interest. Of course you're interested, aren't |
| school if she's been in day care. She's | | | | you? After all, this child, a mini version of |
| already used to being away from you for some | | | | yourself, is taking on the world one day at a |
| time during the day. She's learned how to | | | | time, and the choices and desires he has will |
| make new friends and can be content without | | | | be a direct reflection of you. Make the most |
| your undivided attention. The transition from | | | | of that opportunity while you can - children |
| home to school is far less difficult for | | | | are only children once. |
| those who've experienced day care. | | | | |