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There are issues on celebrating holidays in daycare centers. One of which is with regards respecting the differences of faith of the children. But nowadays this is becoming less an issue because there are increasing numbers of faith-based daycare.

Children look forward in anticipation of the holiday season during December. This reminds them of sugar plum, Christmas tree, homemade gifts, and many other Christmas crafts. But, along with Christmas are the celebrations of the festivals of Kwanzaa (harvest festival by African-Americans) and Hanukkah (a Jewish festival) which occur with the same date in December. This would make some children feel that they are excluded if the holidays they are celebrating are not emphasized like Christmas.

This is not an issue for the privately-owned daycare centers because they can operate with one religious denomination, where families with the same perspective or sometimes those with no religious preference, can join. These centers can explain fully to the children the reasons of celebrating one season without violating other’s belief. On the other hand, this is a big issue for public daycare centers like Head Start.

It is the responsibility of the daycare centers to see to it that all religious background of all the children attending must be recognized during this season. You can do this by explaining each holiday using songs, books, and crafts. There are books that explain different holidays celebrated by different people and nationality worldwide. When celebrating the different holidays, always check signs of “feeling outsider” on children. It is important to teach children the virtue of respecting other’s background and that no one is normal, special, nor superior. Let them know that every tradition is unique and must be appreciated. Also, encourage them to learn the reasons for the celebrations without bias.

School Holidays : Convenience or Vacation

Celebrating Memorial Day is inconvenient for some working parents because they need to work but daycare centers are closed. This scenario is the same with other holidays.

For some families, weekends, festivals, memorials, and parades are time for vacation. But for some, where both or one of the parents need to work, these occasions are problems because they need to look for other alternatives of daycare.

There are parents that are police, pilots, doctors, firemen and others who perform vital jobs. For them, these holidays are inconvenient because they are forced to work but they have no choice because these are national holidays. The same is true with religious holidays which private schools celebrate but are not acknowledged by some business establishments. Examples of these holidays are President’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Good Friday, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Memorial Day is observed by both businesses and schools. Some parents wonder why this is widely celebrated while others, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, are left to school discretion. Memorial Day is an opportunity for parents to catch up some work at home or to stroll.

Day off in daycare or school are exciting for children because they are free of school work and they can just stay at home doing their favourite past time. But this is not the case for parents with vital responsibilities who are required to work even during holidays. So the parents have to look for alternative daycare with holidays but there are schools which are open while others are closed.

There are those which have traditional school and daycare at the same time. Their solution (especially during Christmas break) is to close the school while the daycare is open for those who need the service.

See:How to start a daycare business

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There’s no need to despair if you happen to be a parent of a clingy preschooler. By simply following these tips, you can immediately avoid drama when you finally decide to take your child to the daycare

If you are worried that you are alone and that your child is experiencing too much drama every single time you try to leave him to a daycare center, you should definitely know that you are not alone in this world. In fact, most parents experience this not-so-worth-looking-forward-to moment in their lives every single time they try to bid their child goodbye.

You also probably notice how rowdy and discourteous your child starts to become every time you talk to him about daycare. This is because children normally get and feel apprehensive to be away from their parents even for very short hours because that is something that they are used too. Although you have talked to them and have told them that they can actually have fun, play with other children, watch educational videos and more in their daycare center, this seems never to be enough to console them. What to do now? Don’t even think that you should despair because all you have to do is follow these tips and you can be assured of bidding that drama goodbye for good!

Pair transition time with special time
In the mornings or when you first get home after work, make a point of spending five or ten minutes with your child, paying attention just to him or her. A satisfied child is usually a well-behaved one.

Encourage independence
Don’t physically carry your child into school or daycare if he or she can walk. Let the child walk in beside you and put his or her own things away — coats, lunch, other items to be stored in the locker or cubby. You’ll find that independent kids are far less likely to cling when you need to be getting to your workplace.

Talk to your child’s teacher
In the mornings, share with the teacher any news about medications, situations at home, or changes in schedule, such as an unusual bedtime, that may affect the way your child behaves that day. In the afternoons, find out how the day has gone. There may be circumstances you should consider when judging behavior. Many preschools give parents a daily written “report card,” telling what your child ate, how long he or she napped, and whether he or she was particularly happy or whiny.

Make time just for you
The transition from work back to parenthood is hard on you, too. Before you pick up your child, take a moment for a cup of coffee or listen to your favorite tape in the car. Release, relax, and feel better. Then you’ll find it’s easier to deal with your child’s demands.

Transition Time for Preschoolers in the school
Help Preschoolers Learn How to Change Activities without Tantrums

Preschoolers often have a difficult time with transitions. Learning how to effectively handle transitions is a gentle discipline skill that will help you and your child.

For young children, transitions can prove unsettling and can result in a tantrum. Children get engrossed in an activity, whether that be playing, watching television or spending time with the dog. When it’s time to change to the next activity, most children struggle with the transition. Many are so upset about changing activities that they tantrum or lash out at their parents.

Some common transitions that prove to be frequent trouble spots are bedtime, leaving the house, sitting down for a meal and bath time. Here are some tips that will make these and other transitions easier for most preschoolers.

Give Warnings before Changing Activities
Start with ten minute warnings before it’s time to end an activity. Then give warnings at intervals until the time is up. Abrupt changes in activity will be hard for most children. But, if the child knows a transition is coming and he has a chance to finish what he is doing, he is more likely to be agreeable.

Use a Timer to Signal the End of an Activity
Timers can be particularly effective tools at transition time for young children. When it’s time to give the ten minute warning, set the timer for ten minutes. Once the timer goes off, the child knows that it is time to move to the next activity.

Timers can also be used for children that drag their feet and have trouble completing tasks while transitioning. A child that takes a half hour to finish tooth brushing at bedtime can be challenged to brush his teeth in two minutes with the use of the timer. Many children will find it fun to race the timer to get their coats and shoes on when it’s time to leave the house.

Follow a Routine during Transitions
Preschoolers are especially responsive to routines. Each transition, especially those, like bedtime, that occur daily, should follow the same pattern every day. The starting time isn’t as important as a consistent routine during the transition.

A typical bedtime routine should always start the same way, have a few short activities, such as a story, and then end the same way. Your child may still protest when bedtime is announced, but once the routine is started, he will most likely settle down quickly as he enjoys the story and the time with his parent.

Practice Difficult Transitions Frequently
If the difficult transitions happen outside of the home at preschool or when visiting friends, you may want to practice with your child. Some children have trouble leaving a friend’s house at the end of a play date. Practice this transition at home. Keep the routine simple each time you do it. Soon, your child will settle into the familiarity of the routine and will be more cooperative the next time you are out.

If you find that your preschooler is having a difficult time with transitions at school, ask the teacher if you can observe a class. Then, practice the transitions that occur during a typical school day. Be sure to keep the routine the same as the teacher’s routine so that your child becomes comfortable with the expectations.

See: How to start a daycare center

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