Getting your child excited about crèche is important, but practical considerations are just as essential for the smoothest ride. Johannesburg paediatrician Dr Kim Barnard advises parents to take a look at their own schedules so they can fit in best with the crèche schedule. “You need to make practical adjustments ahead of your child starting crèche. For example, depending on the crèche hours, delaying your child’s nap may be necessary so they are not stressed more than necessary with adapting to a new place as well as a different routine.”
Ensuring your child’s emotional readiness for crèche
“Children pick up quickly on the emotional and anxiety levels of their parents,” says Dr Barnard, “so parents need to be calm leading up to the first day of crèche as well as when they drop off their child. Don’t linger or tell your child you will miss them, because they may become anxious and feel abandoned. Rather say: ‘Have a fun day and we will talk about it all later when I fetch you.’ That reassures children that crèche is a fun place and you are coming back.”
A practical tip from Dr Barnard is that if your child has a comfort toy or object, let them take it along with them to crèche. “If they don’t have one, try to introduce one pre-créche, so if they are feeling stressed they will have something concrete to reassure and comfort them. This comfort object could be a teddy, a doll, a ball or even a dummy – whatever they choose.”
Focus on excitement rather than unnecessary pressure
It is also very important not to put pressure on your child or impose your values. “So for example, don’t tell them they are going to learn so much and will be taught to read, because it could put pressure on children and cause them anxiety. Rather focus on things your child likes to get them excited about crèche. Show them the reading area if they like to read; if they like music tell them they will sing and dance, for example. Reassure them always; tell them their teacher is lovely and they are going to make friends and have fun.”
Encouraging a happy adventure at crèche
Importantly, Dr Barnard says there is no one-step formula for all children. “Each child is individual with their own personality, and parenting styles are different too. If a child is very attached to a stay-at-home mom or dad, disconnecting from them may be very difficult for the child. So most important is for parents to keep calm and patient, don’t linger or create pressure or expectation.” Instead, give children a sense of fun and enjoyment and encourage them to have a happy adventure at crèche.
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