Daycare dropoff is an adjustment for parents and children. The parents are often more anxious than the children, but once children know that daycare means separation from the parents, there may be meltdowns that make you rethink childcare. 

If you have to endure a pitiful dropoff meltdown, you might be wondering how long it will take your toddler or child to like daycare. 

The good news is children quickly adapt to changes in their routine and learn to love daycare, even if they don’t like it at first.

Infant

Children under 12 months take the shortest time to adapt to daycare. They are still learning about the people and places around them, so they are malleable to caretakers. 

Parents often have a harder time being separated from their babies than their babies do! But, once you see your baby enjoying daycare, it gets easier to leave your baby with their caregiver.

Toddler

Children between one and three years of age are more aware of their environment, routines, and relationships. Dropoff at this age can be confusing for children and sobering for parents. 

There is a great deal of variability in how long it takes a toddler to like daycare and not have meltdowns at dropoff. 

• 1 year old: It can take up to two weeks of daily dropoffs for a child to not cry when leaving a parent. If your child is on a part-time schedule, it may take longer.
• 2 years old: A child this age will take two to three weeks to adjust to drop off.
• 3 years old: Children switching daycares may only take a day or two to adjust, but a child who has never been in daycare before may take up to a month to feel comfortable at drop-off.

Pre-K 

While it may surprise you, four-year-olds may take the longest to fully adjust to a daycare environment. This is true whether they are switching daycares or starting daycare for the first time. 

Four-year-olds are old enough to have big feelings about their change of environment. This is understandable even for adults. For instance, it is normal to feel anxious for a few weeks or months when starting a new job or class.

Similarly, four-year-olds can take three to six months to feel at home in their new daycare setting. It takes time to learn new routines, make new friends, and discover their favorite things in their classroom. 

How to Help a Child Adjust to Daycare

Coping skills will vary depending on the age of the child. Here are some tips for helping children overcome anxiety at dropoff:

• Leave a favorite lovey or blanket with your child. For babies, it’s helpful if the blanket has the parent’s scent or if they otherwise associate the blanket with the parent (e.g. rocking with the blanket before bedtime). Older children can keep a lovey or toy from home in their cubby to use at naptime.
• Parents should be compassionate at dropoff but not waffle when it is time to leave. Give reassuring affection or come up with a fun dropoff handshake, but then leave promptly. This helps your child know they can’t pull you back by throwing a tantrum.
• Consider rewarding older children if they don’t throw a tantrum at dropoff 

Dropoff at Bright Start Louisville

At Bright Start Louisville, we know that dropoff can be hard. We have compassionate and supportive staff to help children and parents alike transition to their daycare routine. Our teachers know how to quickly engage children in their classroom activities, find new friends, and become acclimated to their new routine as quickly as possible.

Bright Start Louisville offers exceptional childcare to children six weeks to 12 years old. We’re proud to offer a fun and educational preschool program that prepares your child for kindergarten per state educational standards.

If you’re looking for excellent childcare that gives your child a head start in life, contact Bright Start Louisville today!

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You Might Be Surprised By Which Is the Hardest Age to Parent

If you recently had a newborn, you may think this stage is the hardest you’ll experience. There’s so little sleep, so many needs to be met, and the laundry pile only seems to grow. It can be a hard adjustment to figure out how this new precious bundle fits into your family life and routine.

But if you have older children, you know the saying “bigger children, bigger problems” is shockingly accurate. While older children are more independent so you have time to do other things, independence can be a challenge as you are less and less in control of your child’s decisions and behavior. 

So, what is the hardest year to parent a child?

According to a survey conducted by OnePoll and sponsored by Mixbook, the majority of parents agree that age eight is the hardest year to parent.

Why Is Eight Years Old the Hardest to Parent?

Eight years old seems like the peak age of a blissful childhood, but many childhood developments happen during the eighth year.

For instance, eight-year-olds consider themselves as big kids. They’ve adapted to a school routine, can handle their homework load independently because of their reading skills, and usually have a strong friend group and established interests.

Children have a personality explosion at eight. They begin to feel autonomous but still want a parent’s physical affection. Their peers increasingly influence their attitudes and behaviors. 

Another factor is children are getting cell phones and social media accounts at younger and younger ages. These days, it’s not uncommon for eight-year-olds to have social media accounts or messaging apps. Unfortunately, phones and social media can drastically alter a child’s brain and can lead to premature anxiety and depression. 

Additionally, children’s bodies begin to prep the hormones needed for puberty beginning at eight years old. 

Tips on Parenting a Challenging Age

Every stage of parenting has its own unique challenges. Just when your child has outgrown one thing, a new one pops up. This is just the way parenting is! Here are a few tips to help you gain perspective during a parenting difficulty:

Listen More, Talk Less

Above all else, you want to keep communication open with your child. This starts at a young age by lending a listening ear as much as possible. Oftentimes, children just want someone to listen to them. So turn off the tech, make eye contact, and engage them in conversation! 

Be Calm and Compassionate

Your child will make plenty of mistakes in life–just as we all have. Learn to have a poker face when it comes to hearing about your child’s mishaps and social faux pas. Responding in a harsh, condescending, critical, or incredulous way is not only damaging to your relationship but also to your child’s personhood and self-esteem. Instead, a minimal response (emphasizing your listening) will help your child feel secure in sharing their mistakes and embarrassing moments.

Remember How it Feels to Be Their Age

Adults generally have a better perspective on life and what’s important than children do. But–remember how it feels to be their age! Take some time to reflect on your interests, fears, and joys at your child’s present age. For instance, losing a toy may seem trivial to an adult, but remembering how it felt to lose your toy can give you compassion for your child. 

Stick With a Structure

Children feel secure with a structure. While most older children are in a school with an established routine, you can continue this security by enrolling your child in after-school care at Bright Start Louisville instead of having a child stay at home by themselves or with a babysitter. 

Bright Start Louisville offers exceptional childcare to children six weeks to 12 years old. We’re proud to offer a fun and educational preschool program that prepares your child for kindergarten per state educational standards.

If you’re looking for excellent childcare that gives your child a head start in life, contact Bright Start Louisville today!

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Bright Start Louisville Emphasizes Physical Activity for These Reasons

All parents know their toddlers and young children have an abundance of energy. Many parents of young children take them to the park or enroll them in a sport so they can release all this energy. 

But as children get a little bit older, they may turn to technology, games, or reading for entertainment instead of physical activity. However, just because children have other interests doesn’t mean their need for physical activity goes down.

Physical activity is vital at every stage of childhood development, so it’s important to keep kids active. Here are just a few reasons why.

Physical Activity and Health: The Science

Everyone knows that there is a direct link between physical activity and health. Children need more physical activity than adults because children are always growing and constantly learning about their body’s capabilities and limitations and integrating motor and neurological reflexes. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, physical activity can reduce the risk of:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Heart disease.
• Cancer.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• High blood pressure.
• Osteoporosis.
• Obesity.

Physical exercise also improves bone density and muscular strength.

How Much Exercise Does a Child Need?

Your child’s physical activity needs vary depending on their age. Babies only need about 30 minutes of tummy time per day, while children aged one to five years need about three hours of vigorous activity. Children older than five years need about 60 minutes. 

Physical Activity and Coordination

Children are always learning new physical skills, integrating motor and neurological reflexes, and challenging their bodies. Physical activity is necessary to improve coordination, balance, reflexes, and motor skills.

Physical Activity and Cognition

Children who have regular physical activity have superior cognitive abilities and academic performance compared with peers who aren’t physically active. This is because physical activity brings more blood and oxygen to the brain and aids in memory, problem-solving, and longer focus.

Physical Activity and Emotions

Physical activity provides endorphins and reduces stress. When children have a regular, constructive outlet to release extra energy, they are more even-tempered, have fewer tantrums, and have a calmer disposition. 

Children prone to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or poor body image, can also benefit from physical activity. 

Physical Activity and Relationships

Playing team games builds relationships and camaraderie. It helps children learn how to lose–and win–graciously. Playing with a parent or guardian is a very bonding experience. 

How Can I Incorporate Physical Activity Into My Child’s Routine?

Hopefully, you are ready to include physical activity as a part of your daily routine. Here are some tips to get started:

• Aim for your child’s age-appropriate amount of physical activity, but start small. Try just a few minutes a day of physical activity. 
• Choose something your child enjoys. Enroll them in a sport or take them to their favorite park.
• Do it with them! Adults need regular exercise, too. Children are more likely to play for longer if you play with them–plus, you get the added bonus of connection and bonding with your child
• Outside play is best, but if the weather doesn’t allow for outside play, utilize technology. YouTube has many channels with fitness programs designed for kids and performed by kids. 
• Make it fun by creating an obstacle course, playing “The Floor is Lava,” or re-enacting their favorite movie or video game

Physical Activity at Bright Start Louisville

At Bright Start Louisville, we place a high value on physical activity. Our spacious rooms give children the freedom to roam, run, and play in ways that improve coordination, balance, and reflexes.

It can be hard to include your child’s physical activity during a busy day. Thankfully, you can rest assured that your child receives age-appropriate and fun physical activities at Bright Start Louisville.

Bright Start Louisville offers exceptional childcare to children six weeks to 12 years old. We’re proud to offer a fun and educational preschool program that prepares your child for kindergarten per state educational standards.

If you’re looking for excellent childcare that gives your child a head start in life, contact Bright Start Louisville today!

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Bright Start Louisville Emphasizes Reading for These Reasons

Even though parents instinctively know there are benefits of reading to children, it’s hard to find time to read! There are seemingly more tasks to be done than hours in the day, and reading feels like something you can drop. 

However, research shows how important reading is for a child’s development. Here are just a few. 

Reading Stories Builds Language Skills

It’s only common sense that children learn their language skills from adults. Babies are born with no knowledge of language. But as early as three to six months, babies can respond to their own names and know if you’re pleased or displeased by your tone.

At six to nine months, babies can understand simple, concrete words like “paci” or “bottle.” At nine to twelve months, they understand “mama and dada,” and the word “no.” 

Stories–especially those that can be read over and over–expose children to new words and help them comprehend their meaning. Memorizing a story lets children absorb the language to a greater degree because they are rehearsing the meaning of each word.  

Reading Stories Increases Vocabulary

Many stories use words that we don’t use in our everyday conversations. This means reading to children exposes them to new, beautiful, and interesting words, which develops the brain to help children better understand narratives and picture the stories in their heads.

Reading Stories Improves Literacy 

Research shows advanced literacy skills stems from reading aloud to children. When children who were read to, beginning at six months, they received higher literacy scores in formal schooling than children who were not read to. 

Literacy impacts a child’s overall education, and by extension, the trajectory for their adult lives. Children who are literate will be more likely to do well in school, which helps them in college, their careers, and the rest of their lives. 

Don’t Be Fooled: Technology Can’t Replace Reading

If early exposure to new words helps literacy, can’t you just put on a  children’s podcast, audiobook, or television series? 

Don’t be fooled: it’s not the same!

Babies can make no sense of stories without a visual context, meaning they have to have pictures to make sense of the story. However, even the American Academy of Pediatrics states babies under two shouldn’t watch television. This means the solution is to take the time to read with your child. 

Toddlers and young children may understand basic stories from an audiobook or television show, but there is no emotional bonding, and oftentimes, there can be a technology “crash” after turning it off. 

How Do I Start Reading to My Child?

If you feel inspired but intimidated to start reading to your child, you’re not alone. Luckily, reading to your child is easy!

First, set reasonable expectations based on your child’s age and how much time you have. Babies won’t sit for long periods of time, and children who aren’t used to reading stories may not sit for a long time, either. Start small by reading one short book and aim for just a few minutes of reading a day. Slowly add in one or two more stories, then add in longer stories. 

Before you know it, both you and your child will enjoy reading together!

Bright Start Louisville Values Reading

At Bright Start Louisville, we understand how important it is to read to babies and children. That’s why we prioritize read-aloud time in our daily routine. While you should still read with your child, you can rest assured that your child is listening to quality stories and experiencing all the benefits of early-age literacy.

Bright Start Louisville offers exceptional childcare to children six weeks to 12 years old. We’re proud to offer a fun and educational preschool program that prepares your child for kindergarten per state educational standards.

If you’re looking for excellent childcare that gives your child a head start in life, contact Bright Start Louisville today!

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Art Benefits for Young Children

Children of every age love to color, paint, draw, cut, and glue. Oftentimes, the more messy the project, the more fun children have!

Is all this just a mess, or is there a developmental reason for the chaos?

Luckily, research shows that children love to create, and channeling their creativity has many positive benefits. Here are just a few.

Art and Fine Motor Skills

Children begin to develop fine motor skills around twelve months of age when they develop a pincher grasp. As they grow, children fine-tune their motor skills, but it takes lots of practice before children can draw or write effectively. 

Art gives children the motivation to develop fine motor skills. Creating a colorful project–even if it begins as just scribbles–gives the child a sense of pride and accomplishment. 

Scribbling is a precursor to handwriting, so it’s vital to allow plenty of time for children to experiment by scribbling. Over time, the intrinsic muscles needed for handwriting will mature and strengthen, making handwriting easier in kindergarten. 

Art and Problem-Solving Skills

Art is open-ended: there’s no right or wrong way to create art, which provides endless possibilities to express imagination.

During the creative process, children use problem-solving skills to make choices of color, texture, and proportions, and how to all fit together. They learn to adapt their project, either to hide or highlight a mistake or because their creative vision changes. 

These problem-solving skills aid children in social and educational situations. They learn to persevere and concentrate, make the best of mistakes, and learn how to do things correctly the next time.

Art and Self-Expression

Children experience a gamut of emotions and must learn to control and channel these feelings. Learning art is one of the best tools a child can constructively express their emotions. 

If a child is feeling angry or anxious, an “art timeout” will allow them time to focus on something else and return to their situation of frustration or anxiety with a calm spirit. 

Art and Academic Performance

Believe it or not, art can improve academic performance! Studies are being reviewed that show a correlation between creativity and higher IQ. Learning shapes and space helps children master early math skills and learn about ideas such as bigger and smaller, opposites, and spatial awareness. 

Art and Language Skills

Art offers a peek into the child’s perception of the world. Teachers can also let children observe other artists’ work and the message conveyed in their pieces. Communicating about art builds language skills as the child tells about their art or asks questions about a peer’s art.  

Art Creates a Well-Rounded Person

When we reduce education to factual memorization, we cut children off from the beauty around us. Art helps children delight in the small areas of beauty, experience pride in their work, and value another’s art.

How to Incorporate Art

Art is easy to incorporate into your daily routine! Start with crayons and paper or a coloring book and talk about each color and shape. Some basic paints (or pre-colored paint with water pictures) are sure to delight your child and have very little cleanup. Paint sticks are another easy clean-up craft!

Older children can improve their fine motor skills by cutting with blunted children’s scissors or using stickers. Glue sticks can bring a new dimension to their cutout creations.

Art at Bright Start Louisville

At Bright Start Louisville, we strive to provide many opportunities for various art forms on a weekly basis. From infants to older ages, we include age-appropriate crafts, activities, and art appreciation so children gain all the benefits of art.

It can be hard to include your child’s art skills during a busy day. Thankfully, you can rest assured that your child receives age-appropriate and fun art skills at Bright Start Louisville.

Bright Start Louisville offers exceptional childcare to children six weeks to 12 years old. We’re proud to offer a fun and educational preschool program that prepares your child for kindergarten per state educational standards.

If you’re looking for excellent childcare that gives your child a head start in life, contact Bright Start Louisville today!

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Structure and Routine for Young Children: The Benefits

Children need the consistency of a structured routine to flourish, but a schedule can be hard to accomplish as a stay-at-home parent.   

It’s easy to see how tantrums result from inconsistency. Why can’t special treats and trips happen every day? Why can’t your children watch more television even when you don’t have a deadline to meet?

This is where the advantage of daycare comes in! At Bright Start Louisville, we have a consistent daily and weekly schedule. Keep reading to learn how maintaining consistency benefits your child.

Helps Lower Anxiety

Anxiety results from not knowing the future. Although it seems like children shouldn’t have anything to be anxious about, children can experience anxiety when they don’t know what to expect in their day. Children who don’t know what to expect can react with obstinance or tantrums.

The best way to help relieve this anxiety is to give children a predictable, consistent routine. When children know what to expect, they feel safe and secure. This helps them flourish and reduce resistance to authority and tantrums. 

Helps Children Engage in Learning

Children are more likely to be engaged in learning when they have a consistent routine. They know that the teacher sings a good morning song, that snack comes after reading aloud, and that naps happen after lunch. When a structure is immovable, children will be fully present in whatever activity they are doing. They won’t have anxiety about what is coming next or if the teacher will change her mind on a whim.

Be Sure to Stay Flexible

Of course, you can swing too far the other way and hold fast to a rigid routine. This isn’t good for children either! Flexibility is a necessary skill for adults and children alike, whether it’s an emergency meeting, a delayed bedtime, or accepting last-minute tickets to a baseball game. 

How Do I Start?

Hopefully, you can see the benefit of a routine, how it reduces childhood anxiety, and how it can help minimize outbursts. But how can you start giving your child a routine?

First, pick two or three things you know you can be consistent with. Whatever you choose, pick something you know you can stick with for at least two months, which is the average time to form a new habit. 

Finally, don’t forget to be flexible. Modeling an appropriate response to inconvenience or a change in schedule influences how your child will respond to similar situations in the future.

Structured Routine at Bright Start Louisville

We understand the importance of a structured routine at Bright Start Louisville while occasionally giving flexibility for special events. Each classroom has its own daily routine that meets the needs and capabilities of the age group. The children enrolled in Bright Start Louisville can count on our teachers and staff to consistently teach from our curriculum calendars and provide outings that they can look forward to.

Bright Start Louisville offers exceptional childcare to children six weeks to 12 years old. We’re proud to offer a fun and educational preschool program that prepares your child for kindergarten per state educational standards.

If you’re looking for excellent childcare that gives your child a head start in life, contact Bright Start Louisville today!

What’s Next

Early Math Skills Are a Better Predictor of Success Than Early Reading