Today, less than one-third of children have a full-time, stay-at-home parent. In 1975, however, more than half of kids enjoyed the presence of a stay-at-home parent. Due to changing times, more and more parents are taking advantage of child care centers for their kids.
Early education is essential for the cognitive growth and development of a child. Child care centers are great environments that encourage kids to both grow on their own and make new friends. Here are a few benefits of child care centers.
1. Improved Social Skills
Especially with only children, the only people they have to interact with on a consistent basis is their parents. This can pose a few problems later in the child’s life if no connection with peers is ever made. Daycare centers encourage friendships and greatly improve the social skills for each child involved. Kids will learn how to share, take turns, play well with others and problem solve as a group. They’ll also learn how important friendship is. These tasks seem silly when building blocks and finger paints are involved, but these skills will undoubtedly stay with the children for years to come.
2. Improved Health
Not a lot of people know this, but daycare groups actually improve the immune system of children. According to JAMA Pediatrics, kids who participated in infant care centers before turning two-and-a-half-years-old were sick less often during elementary school than kids who never were enrolled in child care.
3. Less Stress On the Parent
Raising a child can be extremely rewarding but also overwhelming at times. Parents who have to look after their child 24-hours a day often have much more emotional issues than parents who utilize child care services. As much as parents adore their children and love them more than anything, it’s important to give each other space. Just as children benefit more from spending a few hours away from their parents, the parents benefit just as much. Daycare centers can help provide a relaxing time for parents or just allow them time to get their work done.
To learn more about child care programs, contact Growing Room Child Development Centers today!