Day care serves a dual purpose for families across the country. One is that they offer much-needed support for parents who are both working. The other is that they offer a place outside the home for young children to interact with others and learn with a qualified teacher. At this developmental stage, social and emotional learning is just as important as academic learning.
Let’s look at the skills your child will develop in day care.
Social skills
One of the most important aspects of day care is that it provides a space for children to interact with each other. As the child develops their social skills, they will learn how to deal with other people and learn how to be part of a team. This manifests itself in children playing with each other, sharing with each other, solving problems and better understanding their emotions. These abilities will continue to hold value throughout the child’s life.
Creativity
A quality day care will nurture your child’s creativity through exploring art and music. From finger-painting to dancing and more, your child will have a blast being creative in a day care classroom. This will help them develop fine motor skills while honing their imaginative and artistic abilities.
Independence
Does your child rely on you for things they could probably do themselves? When a child goes to day care, they will have to do some things on their own. For example, once your child is walking and able to communicate, they can wash their hands on their own. Eventually, they will go to the bathroom on their own. They may learn to put their jacket on by themselves. Your child will also learn how to cope with—and eventually move past—separation anxiety.
Cognitive skills
Your child will benefit from the activities and learning games they will play at a quality day care. They will develop language skills, learn colors, shapes and numbers and do crafts. They will also engage in purposeful play in which teachers will guide their play toward goals, such as building a structure out of blocks. Playing is one of the primary ways children learn about the world around them and develop thinking skills.
Regular schedule
The old saying that children thrive in routine is true. While you might provide some sense of structure at home, the schedule at a day care will likely be more regular. Almost all day cares have set times for purposeful play, eating, naps, etc. Your child will appreciate the routine, as they will know what to expect, which will make them feel more emotionally secure. When they go off to kindergarten, they will be following a schedule, so it’s good to prepare them for that experience now.
At Happy Hearts on the Hudson, we focus on helping your child learn and grow with programs dedicated to social and emotional learning. We treat your child like our child. We encourage curiosity and learning, providing every child who comes through our doors with tender, loving care. Contact us today for a tour of our new home.