Afternoon Bonding Time: Ideas For Building An After-Daycare Routine
by Beth Bowman
The decision to put your child in daycare is rarely an easy one to make, but the benefits for you and your child can be immense. It frees you up to work or otherwise pursue important areas of your life without having the direct responsibility of childcare, and it allows your child the chance to learn, grow, make friends, and prepare for many aspects of school that can give him an educational edge. To make the experience of daycare even more positive for your child, consider establishing an after-daycare routine that they can look forward to each day. That will also keep the focus of the day on parent-child bonding.
Go for a Frozen Treat
After you pick up your child from daycare each day, you may choose to designate this moment as snack time. Taking your child out for an inexpensive frozen treat may be a fun tradition that the child looks forward to each day, and that can also create a sea of positive memories. Going out for a delectable treat provides a kid with something concrete to look forward to each day after daycare.
Give Away a Sticker
Creating a "treasure chest" for the glove compartment is one fun idea that your child is likely to love. This can be a bag or small box that's filled with stickers or other very small treats that a child can enjoy. Each afternoon after daycare, allow your child to pick one small treat from the box. You can opt to heighten the experience by doing a small activity that's related to the treat. For example, you could go to a park if it's an "outdoors" sticker, or you may opt to write together if the child chooses a writing pen.
Take a Walk
If the daycare center is close enough to where you live, you may choose to walk to the daycare center to pick up your child. That would then allow you and your child to walk home together. On the walk home, you can discuss what the child learned that day and share your own thoughts on the day with your kid. If you do not live near the daycare center, you may opt to walk around your neighborhood when you arrive home. For another idea, you may choose to walk around a mall or go for a small hike where you can enjoy beautiful scenery.
Finally, keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all plan. Doing what works for your family and the best interests of your unique child is what is important. Try out the after-daycare routine to see if it works for you, and you may find yourself wondering why you didn't try something like that sooner.
Share
About Me
After I graduated from high school, I went straight to college, even though I was very unsure of what career field I wanted to enter. I completed my four years and earned a degree that helped me secure a job relatively quickly. However, I soon learned that the career I chose was unfulfilling for me, but the thought of going back to learn something new just seemed too overwhelming. I wanted to enter the field of healthcare, and one day I got a flyer in the mail from a local nursing school that offered certificate programs that only took a year to complete. I felt like it was "fate," and I was soon enrolled in evening classes. I really like helping others, so I want to help others make good educational decisions. I plan to post tips for people of all ages on my new education blog!