January 2017

Approximately 23.4% of children under the age of five are enrolled in some form of child care arrangement, including having a nanny or being in daycare. What many parents don’t know is that enrolling a child in daycare has more benefits than leaving them with a babysitter.

If you’re wondering what some of these benefits might be, here’s a short list of ways in which child care centers can benefit your children.

Fewer Separation Anxiety Issues
Those children who spend the majority of their time with their mothers or a sole caregiver are more likely to experience emotional issues such as general anxiety and separation anxiety. Being exposed to other children and multiple caregivers can help alleviate this experience both in the present and in the future.

Socialization
A child’s first day of school is always tough, but if your child has been socialized well since the time that they were a baby, then that first day will be easier on both of you. Not only will separation anxiety not pose an issue, but your child will have an easier time adjusting to the classroom and making friends once they feel comfortable in that setting.

Accountability
Day care centers are held to certain standards by the government, which means that they will be held accountable for anything and everything that happens while your child is at their facility. If you hire a babysitter or a nanny, there’s no real accountability unless you have surveillance set up in your home to ensure that they’re performing their duties properly.

Less Stress as a Parent
Leaving someone alone in your home with your child can be a huge stress factor for you as a parent. Meanwhile, day care facilities will allow you to sit in on their practice with your child so you have complete confidence that they will provide the best child care services available to you.

It’s completely normal to be nervous about leaving your child in anyone’s care besides your own, but don’t cross day care off of your list just for that reason.

Today, less than one-third of children have a full-time, stay-at-home parent. In 1975, more than half of all children had a stay-at-home parent looking after them. More people are working full-time now, which is good, but it’s now more important than ever to make every moment with your kids count. Use the time you are able to be with them as teaching moments.

Current child care practices vary and depend on both the parent and the children. Some people believe that keeping kids in the school mindset when they get home strengthens their cognitive abilities, while others believe that it’s better to let children have free time at home to relax and clear their minds. The most effective current child care practices utilize a combination of both.

You can’t expect your kids to focus on school, learning, quizzes, reading, homework, and curriculum at all hours in the day — it’s impossible. Although you do have to let them be kids, don’t let them make your home a free for all as soon as they get home from school. It’s a balance and can often be difficult to achieve, but if you do, your kids will certainly benefit and grow into great people with a real shot at success.

Teaching Kids at Home By Using
Allow your child to deconstruct a little bit when they first get home. Give them a nice snack and talk to them about their day. Plan out what works best for you and your family, whether it’s doing some more schoolwork before dinner, or waiting until after dinner to get the work done.

The best way to balance the educational and playing balance is to do both at the same time. Rather than just doing lessons with your kids, play little games as a family that will build their cognitive skills. These games, if done correctly, can both be rewarding on an educational level and improve your relationship as a family.

To learn more about the most effective current child care practices, contact Growing Room Child Development Centers today!