Are you considering sending your child to a day care centre? Whether your child needs supervision during your work hours or it's a personal choice, it can be a scary step for both the parent and the child. However, there are a number of benefits that a day care could offer your little ones, both in the short-term and long-term. Here are four ways your child can benefit from a day care centre:
1. Social Interaction: In the comfort of their home, it is harder for a child to find and make friends of their age. A day care provides an environment where children can interact with each other, make friends and learn important social skills early on in their life. This could potentially make it easy for them to socialise later on at school. They also learn to socialise with other adults besides their parents, such as their child care teachers, which is also a valuable skill.
2. An easier start to schooling life: Besides learning to make friends, a day care offers a structured environment with activities that boost a child's cognitive and social development. This structure and learning can help prep them for their school environment. They also learn to be apart from their parents for periods of time, which makes it easier for them to adjust to the separation from parents when they start their schooling life.
3. They could make your child smarter: While children who go to daycare and children who don't have no differences in how they develop, numerous studies have shown that children who went to day care had better language and cognitive development throughout their childhood, and overall performed better in school. A high-quality day care centre provides problem-solving activities and social activities which helps provide an early boost in a child's learning and language development.
4. Stronger immune system: Germs can sometimes be a good thing! Children in day care centres are exposed to other sickness and colds early on, which can build better immune systems in the long term.
While this huge step in your child's life can seem scary, consider the numerous benefits it could offer your child. These benefits include early socialising, easier adjustment to schooling, smart kids and a healthier child. Ensure you do your research to find a family day care you'd feel comfortable sending your child to, ensuring they will get the best out of their experience.