The trend of daycares such as Explore and Develop is becoming hugely popular among masses and thankfully so. Gone are the days when only working parents considered sending their kids to daycare centers. Today, parents are acknowledging the importance of daycares as a source of early learning and are aware of its significance. That being said, the purpose of a day care center will only be served if the child receives what he is supposed to gain there.
If your job involves handling kids at a daycare, it is essential for you to understand that handling babies is not only entirely a different ballgame compared to handling older kids, but it is also susceptible since these are very young kids who still look up to their mommies for security and can barely communicate. Moreover, your job involves preparing them for advanced school years and develop their basic skills, and this kind of a job requires a lot of patience and compassion.
Remember that you are responsible for managing babies who can barely communicate and look at you as strangers. Moreover, they will be interacting with you in the absence of their parents. Therefore, it can be a tricky business. This quick guide will help you in communicating with babies at daycare.
Every Baby is Different
The most basic rule of communicating with babies at daycare is to understand that no one standard of communication can be applied to all the babies. You will come across different babies, and each one of them will have a different nature since each one will be coming from a different environment. You will find everyone from resilient children who are easier to manage and settle quickly to very stubborn babies who would not even let you feed them because they only want mommy to feed them. Understand the nature of every child and develop your approach accordingly.
Focus on Relationship Building
Remember you are all set to deal with a 15-month-old who can barely talk and will be out of his mama’s lap and under your custody while at daycare. In the initial days, the child is most likely to have difficulty settling in. He will take time get familiar with the new environment, the kids around them and his new caregivers. You need to make him understand with all your compassion that you are his caregiver and he can trust you for his needs in the absence of his home and parents. Even kids who cannot talk do leave signals and hints to communicate about their needs. Focus on those cues and try to fulfill their requirements in the best possible manner.
Teach them Emotions and Feelings
Make active use of words and speech when the babies are playing or when they are expressing a feeling such as crying, sadness or happiness. Give words to their emotions so that they can understand their feelings and learn to take charge of them and to express them.
Let Them Explore
As long as it cannot harm them, let them do whatever they like to do and whatever they are exploring. Exploring is a sign of curiosity and is very healthy for the mental development of a child. Provide them with a safe baby-friendly space and allow them to move their freely and let them do whatever makes them happy.