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Sending your little one to a day care center or preschool for the first time can create a lot of stress and anxiety for you and your child. For some children, the experience can be traumatic, as feelings of abandonment creep in. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help your child overcome feelings of separation anxiety and successfully transition into attending a day care center.

5 Tips for Overcoming Separation Anxiety

1. Plan a Visit

Most day care centers allow you to either schedule a visit for a particular day or attend on a pre-designated day. These visits give your child the opportunity to meet their new teachers, future classmates, and become familiar with the space. If possible, go on multiple visits, as the more exposure your child has, the better the adjustment period may go.

2. Play Pretend

In addition to visiting, you can also play pretend day care or preschool at home. This helps children get more comfortable and excited about going. Pretend play can also help them understand and prepare for this new phase in their life.

3. Maintain Routines

Don’t let the stress of something new throw your routines out of whack. If you and your little one will need to wake up earlier, start doing so at least a week prior to their first day. The routines you set leading up to that first day and in the days and weeks that follow can make the transition easier on everyone.

4. Remind Them of Home

day care centerA small reminder of home can provide children with much-needed comfort during those first few days. Send them to the day care center with a small toy, stuffed animal, or blanket they can play with or cuddle during naptime. This item, along with a note of encouragement in their lunch, can go a long way in easing their anxiety and avoiding feelings of abandonment.

5. Create Rituals

Just as you should set routines and stick to them as much as possible, creating a drop-off and pickup ritual can also be beneficial. Whether it’s an elaborate secret handshake or simply a hug, kiss, and “see you later,” these rituals reinforce the idea that you’ll always be there to pick them up.

 

Starting day care or preschool is a big step in your little one’s life, so it’s essential to ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible. If you and your child are ready to take that next step in child care, look no further than Pumpkin Preschool, a day care center in Fairfield, CT. They’ve provided childcare for families throughout the area for more than 25 years and offer flexible schedules and before and after school programs from children ages six weeks to eight years old. Review their curriculum online, then call (203) 255-7505 to schedule a visit.

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