Kid fun and a sense of excitement prevails this month. It's still summertime in August, although much of the focus has turned to school (this includes preschool or daycare, which have an official "school year" as well) and fall enrichment opportunities. Registrations are in full gear, fall clothing shopping is under way and kids are excited about starting up dance, soccer or whatever their interests may be. It is typically really hot outside, so there is still outdoor fun to be had even while jackets and long-sleeve shirts start to line the shelves at stores.
Meeting a new teacher, fears of the unknown, anxiety about separation from home and family, and concerns about making friends can make a youngster feel stress and pressure when returning to school or even to daycare. Parents can help kids to beat any back-to-schools by listening to their kids and scheduling special family time before the school-year or return-to-childcare routine returns. Here are tips for making the transition easier for both parents and kids alike.
If your child has never before attended daycare or will be resuming child care after a break, there are things you can do to make the transition an easier one and to keep the tears and fears to a minimum.
Space--or lack of it--comes as a big surprise to many parents shopping for child care services. Summer may bring lighter classes and lower ratios, but come fall or a new year, classes can fill quickly. If you haven't yet secured child care you're happy with after summer fun ends, you'd better get a move on it and make it a top priority! Here are 10 things you should do today.
Many parents pick the wrong child care, or even type of care, and then wonder why their child is unhappy. Avoid these pitfalls when choosing care for your child, and everyone in the family will be happier because of it.
Most schools and many daycare centers require that youngsters use a backpack to keep their supplies and personal items together in an organized fashion. Purchasing a backpack is easy. Finding the appropriate one based on the age and size of your child is more of a challenge.
Before you buy clothes for your youngster for daycare or school, there's more you should know besides whether there is a school dress code. Here are some eight heartfelt suggestions from care providers and educators to ensure happy and comfortable kids!
Starting school--whether it is pre-school, daycare, or public/private education--means an adjustment for everyone in the family. Even after bed times are established, morning routines are set, and homework patterns are created (remember, even pre-schoolers sometimes have homework), it is important to keep a focus on healthy and happy kids to ensure a successful year.
With fall sign-ups about to happen (if they haven't already), parents need to carefully consider whether their child is old enough for lessons. Many daycare centers and family providers offer options of kid lessons, such as dance, swimming, sports, or music, to help out parents-on-the-go during the school year. The lessons may either be on-site or kids may be transported to a nearby facility and then returned back to child care in time for parents to pick up after work. The convenience may be tempting, but if your child is not mature enough to focus and enjoy the activity, dislikes it, or acts out, then well-meaning parents may be throwing money down the drain and causing undue stress on their child.
