Day care is an essential part of children’s lives and it has evolved over the years. It isn’t just for working parents anymore. In fact, there are some terrific benefits to day care that go beyond childcare. Let’s take a look at what they are now.
More parents are taking their children to day care centers to help with basic social and educational skills.
For families in the United States, there’s really no question that sending a child to day care is a necessity. According to the Census Bureau, more than half of all American children under age 3 spend some time in day care each week.
But more families are also turning to centers for more than just babysitting. More parents are taking their children to day care centers to help with basic social and educational skills. They’re hoping that by exposing children to new people, places and experiences at a young age, they’ll be better prepared for kindergarten — and beyond.
There are various reasons why parents might choose early education over traditional home care. For one thing, it means they can work outside the house without worrying about who will watch their kids while they’re gone. But there’s also evidence that early education can benefit children in numerous ways, from cognitive development to socialization skills.
“Parents are looking for a safe place for their infants and toddlers,” says Dr. Michael Yogman of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “They want someone who’s going to interact with them, who will provide stimulation.”
Some schools are offering day care as well.
In fact, an increasing number of schools are offering before- and after-school programs that allow students to stay at school until their parents come to pick them up.
For parents who work during the school day, these programs can be a godsend. But they’re also beneficial for children who are latchkey kids or have to spend time alone after school. And they’re good for society in general because it provides kids with more socialization opportunities than they would have otherwise.
Plus, kids who spend time in these programs generally get better grades than those who don’t participate.
Even stay-at-homes moms have found they appreciate the time they need to take care of themselves.
There has been a growing number of stay-at-home moms who have found that day care is just what they need to get out of the house and take care of themselves.
“I love my kids more than anything in the world,” said Jillian, a stay-at-home mom with two children under the age of five. “But after being at home with them all day, I need time alone.”
Jillian explained that she used to have babysitters come over during the day so her husband could get some work done. But it was expensive and he always felt guilty about leaving them behind while he went off to work.
“I didn’t like how much time it took away from my family,” she said. “It was frustrating to be at home all day with no one else around.”
Daycare can give both parents and children some much needed space from each other while still being together as a family unit. It also gives parents a chance to go out on dates once again or even just get some much needed sleep!
There’s a lot more to day care than just a place to leave your child while you work.
Day care isn’t just for working parents anymore. In fact, more people are turning to daycare as a way to help children with special needs, according to a recent article in USA Today.
Day care isn’t just for working parents anymore. In fact, more people are turning to daycare as a way to help children with special needs, according to a recent article in USA Today.
“There’s a growing trend of parents sending their kids to daycare so that they can get extra attention,” says Laurie Kramer, president of Child Care Aware of America. “It’s not just about getting them off the parent’s hands.”
For example, one mother said she wanted her son to be around other kids so he would have more opportunities to interact with them. Another mother said she was hoping that her daughter’s speech therapist could work on her pronunciation by interacting with other children and their parents during her time at daycare.