Your sick benefit is coming to an end, and then, as with most parents, especially if they are parents for the first time, there is panic as to what happens next. Who to leave the child in custody and how to separate from him. Even if you have a large family who wants to help, things are not at all simple. This is a period that can be both stressful and anxious for parents. If that’s exactly how you feel you need to know that this is a completely normal process.
Yes, besides you as a parent, a child will surely love grandparents or maybe aunts the most. You might also be the calmest if your child spends time with them while you are at work. However, let’s separate ourselves from you and your concern, which, you will admit, in most parents can go beyond normal and turn into pathological relationships. Ask what is much better for the child! Ok, my grandparents have a big yard, and they love it very much, I will give my child full care and security. It’s ok sometimes, but do you want your child to grow up (because it’s not a small period: at least 6-8 hours every day) with older people, without a close relationship with peers, and without learning social skills. I think I know your answer without even saying it!
The kindergarten period is very important for the development of the child and many studies show that children who attend the day center make a lot of progress not only in school but in all spheres of life. So, before you decide on all of this, let’s take a look together at what are the benefits of child care services for child development.
1. Learning social and emotional skills
In addition to the abundance of benefits that childcare centers bring, these two are perhaps the most important. Children who are not in daily contact with other children very often know how to be selfish, they do not know how to share toys or emotions. Don’t forget that these years are extremely important for the child’s development and lay the foundations for future upgrades. Therefore, in daycare centers, through contact with peers accompanied by professional supervision, children learn to make friends, socialize, to develop a sense of sharing. They practice cognitive and social skills here. Some of them are independent problem solving, teamwork, conflict resolution, etc.
These are not the only places that will provide your child with only security and basic needs while you are at work. This is high-quality care that helps and strengthens the emotional health of your child. They become more independent and autonomous beings. Our friends from Wee Watch are people with a lot of experience in working with children and suggest to parents whose children are highly anxious in the beginning to have patience. The skills acquired here become crucial in adulthood
2. Learning rules and programs
Something that grandparents will certainly not teach them is respecting certain rules and respecting routines. These two segments are very important for a child’s cognitive development. The child learns daily routines: sleep time, self-care, personal hygiene, etc. These are forms of behavior that are important not only at this age but throughout life. Research shows that a child who is taught the daily routine and certain rules are much easier to get a college degree and create a stable environment and family.
3. Learning skills
We all know how important playing is for a child. Games that are practiced in childcare centers affect the development of various skills that, again, will carry a child for life. It turned out that children who attended kindergarten and preschool mastered languages, reading and writing skills and writing much faster. In addition to these skills, these children show a higher degree of self-control and self-esteem compared to children who have not lived in such centers.
4. Creating a sense of independence
Separation from parents is not only a need when a parent has to return to work, but this segment is very important for the child’s development. When a child is separated from his parents, even if only for a few hours during the day, he creates a feeling of independence, develops sympathy for others, and creates an image of what they like and what they do not. These are experiences that he can never get in the tucked-away nest of his home and near his protective parents.
An environment is being created in the center where everything is focused on the proper development of children. Adults are not necessary for them to fill their time, and on the other hand, they have the freedom to try new things and activities. They learn to solve certain situations on their own, and thus gain self-control and a sense that their actions and cooperation with others are very important. Through a sense of independence from adults, children trust their skills much more and are more willing to take on bigger challenges later in life.
5. Attitude towards authority and respect for adults
The living room is a place where children will get used to respecting certain rules of behavior and routine, which we have already written about, but through that, they will also learn to respect adults. This is where the skills of attitude towards authority, good behavior, kindness, perseverance and much more are acquired. Respecting other children respects themselves and in all this, they are not left to themselves but are guided by very professional staff. They help children recognize behavioral patterns, and professional role models and build relationships with teachers and adults.
We have listed only some of the basic benefits that the centers provide to your child. However, in addition to the care and comfort that the centers bring to the child, we cannot ignore the benefits that the centers offer to you, the parents. Not only the child, but you also gain some independence and learn to be separated from your child. In addition to this, it gives you time to dedicate to quality work, without constant yelling and worrying. Even if you are not a busy parent, you will have time to dedicate to yourself, pursue a hobby, relax and socialize. Only a satisfied and rested parent can be a good parent. Remember that parenting does not have to mean your sacrifice.