Before you take the step to enroll your child in daycare, you may be wondering if it is really what is best for your child. If your child has previously been used to one-on-one care, then you may fear that the change to daycare may have a negative impact on them. All the questions and doubts you are having are completely normal. However, once you know exactly what the benefits of daycare are, it should be easier to make a decision. Here are four of the best reasons to choose daycare.
1. Learn to Share
In daycare, your child will learn how to share because they have no other choice, and this is a good thing. If there is only one of a particular toy, then your child must take turns. In fact, teachers will usually give time limits on how long a child can play with a particular toy before giving it to someone else. Your child will learn from early on that they must cooperate with others.
2. Encourage Motor Skill Development
Exposure to children who are already trying to walk or walking will motivate your child. This is because children often try to imitate others, and when they do they are actually learning. Your child is likely to reach the important milestone of walking even sooner due to imitation. This is not just limited to walking; it is also true of coloring and writing skills that require hand-eye coordination. Your child can learn from imitating those who are already doing it.
3. Encourage Social Development
Being around a variety of kids with different personalities will help your child learn how to get along with people of various personalities. This is not just a daycare skill; it is a life skill that they can take to preschool and beyond. Daycare also teaches your child about independence. They learn to be independent from mommy and daddy for a portion of the day and begin to learn how to trust when they see that you will always return for them.
4. Learn Discipline
The structure of daycare will teach your child how to be disciplined. Your child will learn that there is a time for everything as they go through different activities such as snack time, story time, playtime, and clean-up time. This kind of format instills discipline and teaches your child to follow instructions, which is an important prerequisite skill for success in school and life.
It is never too early for children to start learning the important life skills listed above while in daycare. In the long run, they will adjust to school and life in general a lot more easily.
I remember staying at home when I was a young child until I entered kindergarten. However, when I had my first child as a working mother, I realized that it was a good idea to transfer my child from a standard daycare facility to a preschool after I learned how they differ. Preschools typically have teachers trained in early childhood education, while many daycare centers do not. However, I became overwhelmed with all of my local preschool options and had to learn about all of the various types of preschool education offered today before I made my final decision. I was very happy with my choice, because my little one is now thriving in her new preschool. I am now researching elementary school options. I am eager to share what I have learned, and am still learning, about child education with anyone who needs the advice on my new blog!