Starting childcare is a major transition for both young children and their families. Change even when positive change can be stressful. In many cases this may be the first time a child is away from the secure and loving arms of their family. Both the child and parents may experience anxiety about starting a daycare experience. Parents want to know that their child will be in a loving and safe environment when the child is not in their direct care. It is not uncommon for parents to feel guilty about placing the child in a daycare program, thus making the farewell more difficult. Young children have been developing an attachment to their parents and are often secure in their daily home life and routines. There are specific measures that both parents and caregivers can do to ease the transition into care and alleviate seperation anxiety.

Recognize your own feelings: Talk to the child about daycare as a positive and exciting thing. Your child is sensitive to your emotions and attitudes

Recognize your child’s temperment: Let your knowledge of your child’s personality guide you.

Prepare your child in advance: Your child will have less anxiety if they know what to expect.

Communicate with the caregiver: The caregiver is your biggest ally in making the  seperation a  smooth and calm experience.

Say good-bye: When it is time to go, say good-bye and go! It is never suggested to sneak out.

Reading to a child can and should begin as soon after birth as possible as it will help with brain development, speech skills, as well as simply bonding with the child which will help in other developmental areas as well.  It may seem to some that infants will not benefit from being read aloud to but many experts on the subject disagree. Most people dont realize that when a child is born only 25% of the brain is developed and the rest is developed within the first year of life. Reading aloud and simply talking to the child will help tremendously with brain development along with their speaking skills. Read aloud to your children every day even when they are old enough to read to themselves. The more you read the better you get at it, the better you get the more you like it, the more you like it the more you will do it.