What to Do When Your Child Doesn’t Want to Go to Daycare

Kids have an innate love of learning. It’s partly from our ancestors (you had to learn skills in order to survive) and partly because the world is just so interesting. Everything taught in school is new and useful knowledge that your child can apply to their world situation, from how to bounce a ball off the wall to how to tie their shoes. However, there may come a day where your child suddenly does not want to go to daycare or preschool, and you’re confused.

Toddler Town Daycare in Chicago offers a top-notch daycare and preschool program for children ages two to six. Our mission is to provide your child a safe and happy place in which to learn, play, and grow. Our preschool curriculum will prepare your child for kindergarten and our daycare program offers caring and compassionate caregivers who not only care for your children, but who also help your child learn and grow. In this blog post, we’ll go over tips on what to do if your child suddenly doesn’t want to go to daycare. Visit us for a tour today!

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD DOESN’T WANT TO GO TO DAYCARE

Find Out the Underlying Reason

If this is a sudden change, there is an underlying reason. Most likely, it is one of three things:

  1. There was a change at the daycare that is not settling well with your child.
  2. Your child is going through a new period of separation anxiety.
  3. Your child could be testing their control.

Change at the Daycare Facility

Because your child’s behavior could be a warning sign, start with the daycare facility. Ask questions such as if there’s been a new teacher, is there new students, or has the program changed in terms of routine, curriculum, and the like. Depending on the age of your child, he or she may or may not be able to tell you what’s wrong. After all, it could just be that your child feels uncomfortable if there is a new dynamic such as a new teacher in play and will just need time to adjust.

Your Child is Feeling Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety ultimately stems from fears of the unknown and of your child having to face those fears alone. It can also be a lack of coping skills that is something your child needs to develop. Your child is slowly learning that life is not about getting everything you want, which can be a stressor for kids. Toddler Town Daycare in Chicago recommends that you leave your child with a photo in her pocket to keep while you are gone, you give them extra attention at drop-off time, such as maybe grabbing a donut before school, and you acknowledge their feelings. Oftentimes, even two year-olds will tell you specifics, such as they don’t like leaving their bear at home (an easy fix of bringing bear to preschool with them).

Your Child Could Be Testing Their Control

When your child becomes a three-year old, they have learned that certain behaviors of theirs elicits a certain response from you, an early form of manipulation. If they cry, for example, they know you will come running. Here, you just have to be firm and have faith that your child will survive (and indeed thrive) in daycare. Your child is learning every day about the world around them, and learning that they have to do things they don’t want to do is a lifelong lesson.

TODDLER TOWN DAYCARE IN CHICAGO OFFERS THE BEST PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

Everything Toddler Town Daycare in Chicago does is designed with your child’s best interest in mind. From our top-notch educational approach to our emphasis on free play and learning by doing, our preschool program will ensure your child is kindergarten ready. We teach letters, numbers, phonics, and reading skills, as well as provide them a solid foundation in the arts and sciences. Contact us today for a free tour!