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5 ways to ease your child's transition into daycare

By Alexis Teasdale | Presented by Children's Panadol|

Starting daycare is as much a transition for little ones as much as it is for parents. Here are five ways to make the change less challenging and more successful.

A child starting daycare is a major milestone for the whole family, and while the transition can be hard on little ones and even parents too, there are plenty of ways to ease everyone into the new routine. We spoke to Brooke Michell, psychologist, paediatric sleep specialist, and mother of four at?Calm Space Psychology, to get her best tips for preparing for the big change.

All children will adjust differently to change, and some will find it easier to adapt than others. "New environments can be confronting for children; for example, the sensory experience in the new place with lots more people, noise, activity, toys, and colour can be quite overwhelming," explains Michell.

Of course, the other big challenge is leaving mum, dad, or a primary carer behind for the day! "Some children have a lot of difficulty being away from their parents, and daycare may be the first time a child has experienced this separation," she says. It's completely normal for little ones to find the transition tricky, but there are some easy ways to smooth the path for a great first daycare experience.

Keep calm and talk it out

When it comes to talking about daycare in the lead-up to the transition, Michell says to 'share your calm, don't join their chaos.' "In any discussions about daycare, keep your tone and body language relaxed, calm and confident," she explains.

"Convey to your child that you are comfortable with the plan because, as parents, we are the emotional barometers for our children, and they are very attuned to our feelings," she says. Michell recommends that parents should acknowledge and validate kids' feelings, remembering to tell them that it's normal to be nervous. It's also a good idea to have some tricks to calm nervous energy up your sleeve, like encouraging them to take some slow deep breaths, cuddling a favourite teddy or going for a walk together.

Preparation is the key

"Children adjust to change and new situations better when they are prepared for them and know what to expect," says Michell. "This can happen through conversations about the daycare centre, and also driving past or visiting it," she says.

If you can, plan a couple of visits to the daycare ahead of time, making sure it's not at a chaotic time of day like drop off when other children may be distressed. Instead, try visiting during reading or playtime, so your child can get a sense of the fun they will have there. Also, going on a trip to buy a new backpack or bag tag for their belongings will help bigger kids feel excited about the change.

How to ace the drop-off

  1. Not every child will react to daycare drop-offs in the same way. However, Michell has created this checklist to help you until you find your groove!
  2. Talk about what will happen at drop-off. For example, "I will walk in, help you put away your bag, and then I'm going to say goodbye' so they know what to expect.
  3. Try to foster a connection between your child and a supportive carer/teacher, so there is a familiar face to do a drop-off with.
  4. Arrive a bit early, so there is no rush, and drop-off is calm and unhurried.
  5. Be calm and firm as you say goodbye. For example, 'It's time for me to go. I love you.'
  6. Remind them of your next reunion. For example, 'I'll see you this afternoon at 4pm. I can't wait for you to tell me about your day!'
  7. Don't' sneak away from your child because this might make them worried about you leaving, hyper-aware of your every move, and can actually increase or cause separation anxiety.?
  8. Try and leave confidently, showing your child through your behaviour and body language that there is nothing to worry about.

Big feelings at home are to be expected

Don't panic if starting daycare causes some new behaviour at home too. "Children communicate through their behaviour as well as their words, and parents might find their child is responding differently during this transition period," says Michell.

"This might look like big emotions with more tantrums, increased 'clinginess,' and possibly sleep disturbances. This is normal and while adjusting to a transition, but if the issues persist, it could be worth seeking some support from a child psychologist," she says.

Keep your new routine consistent

Changes in a routine can throw everyone off for a while, but when in doubt, hold on and keep things consistent. "Try to prioritise the basics like good sleep, good food, and regular exercise to give every family member the best possible foundation for navigating this big milestone," says Michell. This could mean creating a new wall calendar or a list to pop up on the fridge so kids can see that everyone in the family has a plan to stick to.

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