When it was time for me to return to work after having my oldest child, I was grateful to find an amazing childcare facility for them to go to. However, I quickly learned that childcare is not just about dropping off your kids and picking them up at the end of the day. To make childcare education effective, you need to help those workers teach your kids. So, that's my blog is all about. I want to help parents who are using childcare for the first time to get your kids into a learning frame of mind. From flash cards to building blocks, there is plenty you can do at home to encourage your kid to learn, and that means when they go to the childcare facility each day, the eagerness to learn continues.
Preschool is a significant milestone in your child's educational journey. It's a time when children begin
Deciding how to care for your children can be an overwhelming choice, but it doesn't have to be. Weighing
Introducing your child to the world comes in a range of different ways. From taking your little baby on t
Most parents are often conflicted about whether or not they should take their kids to a childcare centre.
Preschools are a child care alternative that aims to prepare your child for formal schooling. When taking
Pre-kindergarten programs, or 'pre-kindys', provide group-based education and play programs before your child enters the school system. A teacher will be present instead of just day care staff, and programs will often be a little more structured.
If you have young children not yet old enough to enter school, you might want to think about enrolling them in a pre-kindergarten program instead of arranging at-home child minding. Here are just four reasons why:
1. Better Socialization Skills
When you talk to people about the benefits of schooling, you'll usually discuss the academic advantages. However, school is also one of the first places your children learn to socialize as part of a larger group. Whether it's learning to get along with more than a few people or starting to work on trust and teambuilding abilities, it's the socialization skills people learn as young children that help guide them through life just as much as their academic know-how. Pre-kindy programs help get your children used to socializing as early as possible.
2. Easier Separation
Starting kindergarten can be stressful, and so can leaving your parents for the day to go somewhere new; doing both at once can be very tough. Pre-kindy programs can help. Children will separate from you at a younger age, which often makes the experience easier. Better yet, pre-kindy programs aren't as focused on schooling as kindergarten, so children don't tend to get as stressed – they get the chance to adapt to the new schedule without having to challenge themselves too much. When you choose at-home childcare, your kids won't even need to get used to leaving the house.
3. A Start on School
Pre-kindy programs might not be all about academics, but they can prepare your child for school more effectively than at-home childcare. Even though exercises aren't as challenging, they're still prompting your child to think in new ways, and most programs include a range of activities to encourage independent thinking. Remember, even something like finger painting can help improve fine motor skills. Additionally, simply getting used to a set routine can help prepare a child for their later education.
4. The House to Yourself
Finally, it can simply be nice to have your kids out of the house occasionally. Whether you need some time to yourself or simply want the chance to clean up, it can be a welcome break to have your kids at a pre-kindy program instead of at home and simply looked after by someone else.
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