Some families have concerns about their first experience with day care in Pittsburgh, PA. They aren’t sure what to expect and they aren’t always able to prepare their young children for the transition. However, parents, as well as kids, can benefit from taking a couple of steps in order to get ready for their big day.
Schedule a Visit
Parents usually visit a day care in Pittsburgh, PA before deciding that it is the ideal choice for their children. However, they don’t always bring the kids along in order to get a feel for the new place. Consider scheduling a visit with the kids. This allows them to take a look around, see other kids having a great time, and ask some questions. When they show up for their first day at day care, they aren’t visiting a new place. Instead, there will be some familiarity about the location, creating some added peace of mind. Contact ABC’s For Children to set up a visit with your child.
Talk About What Will Happen Throughout the Day
The schedule at day care is sure to be different than the schedule at home. This is going to be a transition for most kids, so it helps to explain to them what the flow of the day will be. Just like visiting the site in advance, it allows them to have some understanding of what is going to happen during their time. Parents that are interested in offering a little extra preparation for kids that are weary of new things may want to spend one day following the day care’s schedule. This can make things much easier for a child that already isn’t comfortable with change.
Don’t Linger at Drop Off
It can be tempting to take a lot of time to say goodbye. Some parents may even shed some tears. But it is so important that the drop off go well. It sets the tone for the rest of the day and for many kids, their experience with day care. Don’t show emotions that could upset the child. Also, be sure to sign the child in, give kisses or hugs and leave. The long drawn out goodbye can actually be more of a problem than a help.
