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Toddlers in Daycare
Easing the Transition By P. Christine Smith
Once the child is brought to the center, parents should feel comfortable staying as long as they would like, getting their child settled. "However, once the parents decide to leave, they should hand the child to a teacher and give the child a kiss," Solis says. "They should then tell the child when they will be back, say a quick goodbye and then leave." Long, drawn-out goodbyes prolong the separation experience and may push the child into a pattern of if-I-cry-then-mom-or-dad-will-stay. "In my 12 years working with 2-year-olds, I have noticed that the crying lasts about five to 10 minutes. Then we are on to our activities," says Solis.
Rebecca Escalante, director of the toddler and preschool program at Hancock Elementary School in San Diego, Calif., agrees with the steps recommended by Solis. Escalante adds that a security item might be helpful in easing toddlers' separation anxiety. "Always pack a special stuffed animal or blanket, and enclose a picture of yourself in your child's bag." Escalante also recommends sticking to a routine when it's time to go home. "Keeping to the same pick-up time every day makes it easier for your child to soon learn that after a certain activity, Mommy or Daddy will come," she says.
Deidra Simpson (no relation to the Simpsons discussed earlier) is a magazine publisher in Milton, Fla. who now works from her home office. However, in her past career it was necessary for Simpson to leave her daughter Emily, now 8, and her son Jayse, now 3, in daycare when they were toddlers. "I found that the best way to make my children comfortable in daycare and in turn keep myself sane enough to be able to leave them, was to make us all understand that this was a good thing," she says. "Make it exciting, make it comfortable, and always keep your promises."
Proper planning and transitional steps will ease toddlers into a daycare setting and through bouts of separation anxiety. It is difficult for both parents and children to accept this first step of leaving babyhood behind and becoming separate, but before too long, parents and children alike will feel comfortable, happy and relaxed.