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If you’ve spent the entire day away from your child, you’re probably keen to reconnect and to hear about what your child has been up to while you’ve been apart. But reconnecting after a day of childcare isn’t always as simple as asking “how was your day?” to a tired toddler. Here are some more effective ways to reconnect with your child after a day at daycare.

Be (emotionally) present at pickup

It goes without saying that you’re physically present when you come to pick your child up from care, but it’s important to also be emotionally and mentally available to your child for your first interaction after a day of separation. For example, if you’re speaking with one of the educators or another parent when your child arrives at the pick-up area, excuse yourself from the conversation, get down on your child’s level and focus all your attention on greeting them. They may want a hug or to be picked up and they will often want to show you something they’ve created or to share with you an activity they’ve been enjoying. Show genuine interest in what they’re saying and stay focused on them for a couple of minutes before continuing the process of signing them out and heading home. Having your undivided attention for just a few minutes at pick-up can make your child feel instantly re-connected to you.

Ask the right questions

If you’d like your child to open up about their day, it can be tempting to ask questions like “what did you do today?” or “did you have fun today?” While the intention behind these questions is great, they are a bit too broad and are likely to elicit one-word answers from small children. Instead, try asking more specific and interesting questions like “what was your favourite activity you did today?” “what was something that made you laugh today?” “who did you play with during outside play time?” or “did anyone do anything kind today?” If you have some information about their day (for example if you’ve seen photos of an activity they did) you can use this as a prompt to get them talking.

Set aside time to reconnect

While it can be difficult to find the time to engage one-on-one with your child during the hectic evening routine, spending just a few minutes on this can make a big difference for both you and your child. If you can, set aside ten minutes when you get home to play a game of your child’s choice. This can be a great opportunity for them to play out anything that they are processing from their day, or for them to open up and share with you more deeply. If you simply don’t have the time or capacity to do this, try inviting them to join you in some of the evening’s chores. For example, your child could help you with preparing dinner and this can present the same opportunity to connect and communicate.

Have a connected bedtime routine

For children, sleep represents another separation from their caregiver (even if you’re right next to them!). So it’s a great idea to help them wind down from their day through some calming, connected activities. Some simple ways to connect with your child during bedtime are through bathtime, singing bedtime songs, feeding, reading books, or snuggling and chatting in bed before sleep.

At Heritage House, we take a holistic approach to development and we understand that a child’s relationship with their caregivers is absolutely foundational to their ability to learn, grow and thrive in care. We have a deep understanding of child development and attachment needs and are always happy to brainstorm ideas to help overcome any issues parents may be facing. Contact us today to enquire about enrolling your child.