So you had a relaxing summer with your kids at home and now you can’t wait for them to get back on routine at the daycare. You might be expecting your child to jump with joy. When you ask them whether they are happy or not, you are surprised their reply is negative. Perhaps your child isn’t at happy at day care or so you thought? His is quite normal. Children tend to become indecisive, especially after prolonged periods of absence from the day care.
During the summer break you children may have learned through physical play. They have grown both emotionally and physically. So you might be asking what the big deal is really. Well the things I that children are creatures of habit. Also there is a great deal going through their mind and the simple thought of getting back on routine might not appeal to them so much now.
Though you shouldn’t assume their lack of enthusiasm as anything else. They could be excited but you could be misinterpreting their anxiety as their lack of interest. Children know innately when things are about to change. Sometimes accepting that change is a big deal for them. They could be worried about their caregivers. How they would be received. About making new friends. If your children are shy, the anxiety is often more pronounced and visible on the child’s face.
A little worry on your child’s part regarding their return to day care shouldn’t be too worrying for you as a parent. It’s healthy to think about the future and how things might shape up. Your child is finally growing and leaning to experience mixed feelings about certain things. As parents it is imperative that you make this easier for your child. Instead of getting anxious yourself, encourage your child. Ask them to be confident, urge them to make decisions and let them express what they feel without jumping to conclusions.
The following tips can help make the return to childcare somewhat easier on you and your child as well.
- Try to reinstate the same routine which was followed before the vacations. Like TV viewing to be reduced gradually, tablet time and extracurricular activities to be allotted less time.
- Make a sleeping routine. Try waking up the children earlier so they tend to go to bed earlier as well.
- Start the breakfast routine.
- Talk about children meeting new friends and how they would enjoy the experience
- Show their caregivers in a good light. Make the children understand that the people at daycare are their friends too. Talking about day care once a day is a good way to help ease your child’s mind. It’s also the time when they might air a concern.
- Talk about your own back to work experience. A child can relate well to things when they feel that an adult has been in a similar situation.
- Try introducing some creative activities. Start reading and writing and encourage your child to take part in these activities.