You know what one thing I love the most about daycare? Well besides them taking on the messy crafts. I love the little friends. We are to the age where Landon can talk about his friends and vocalize their importance. Just this afternoon he was talking to the dog. Rambling on about something and I asked what was he saying. He said he was talking about his best friend Josh and how he missed him (Josh has been on vacation this week). It was so adorable. Just so matter-of-factly. To him it is just another part of his life like eating snacks and going potty. I don’t know when I will get used to it. It is just too damn cute.
Every day we pick him up and ask what he did that day. Almost immediately is “Me and Josh…” and then he rattles off all his friends. Seeing him get excited that we will go play outside of school is super fun to see. The rare occasion we have a friend over to our house to play? You would think he won the lottery. He talks about it for days after.
On top of his BFF, it is nice to hear him interacting with a kid that, to me, might seem a little difficult. Like when we know that they got into a scuffle over a dinosaur and slapped the crap out of each other. In the same breath he can tell me that they colored together later or splashed at the sensory table. No hard feelings. Just life as a toddler.
Life lessons I can’t teach are what makes daycare a little special. I can’t say that if I was home with him or even just a relative watching him. In those cases, if you interact with a defiant kid, you start to avoid it. No matter if you mean to or not. At daycare, it truly is a melting pot. The kid with the hippy parents. The kid who always has to have the blue crayon (that would we mine, by the way). Even the kid who is just having a bad day. It’s all a learning experience I can’t teach him fully. How to deal with difficult people. How to show empathy. How the world comes in all shapes and sizes.
It can even have unforeseen benefits. Like how 2 daycare friends are hearing impaired. Because of this, Landon, at almost 3, still signs some words. I assume some of that is seeing those interactions. They learn hand movements and signs to songs when the physical therapist works in the class. It isn’t “different” to them. I love that.
How does your child care line up with this? Do you see your kids beginning to make their own special friendships?
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My daughter has been in daycare with the same group of kids since birth. She has her two best friends that she talks about all the time. Recently, one of those friends (the closest one) left daycare. We saw him at the ballpark a week or so ago and they both went crazy! They stayed together the rest of the night and his mom and I exchanged numbers so they can see each other again. (They are almost 4 so he was taken out to start Pre-K.) I’m not looking forward to school starting because her other best friend will be starting Pre-K as well. Our school only has a one class so we opted out of having her tested for fall. But in just one short year, they will all be reunited for Kindergarten. I admit I worry about this little boy just a bit…the look in her eye when she looks at him is NOT one a mommy of a beautiful little girl wants to see! LOL I love these friendships she is building at such a young age. I hope some of them will last forever.
Twitter: melissamott
yah I am dreading real school. He and Josh wouldn’t go to the same school. Just no way.
Twitter: mannlymama
Baguette has a best friend from day care–they met in the infant room and bonded instantly. We (and the other girl’s parents) have commented that we didn’t realize that babies could form such strong friendships at such a young age–but the two of them did, and are so sweet together!
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Exactly what I needed to read today. Was Archer’s first day at his new daycare facility. He was at an in-home daycare for the first 19-ish months of his life, but we took him out to stay home with me to give his immune system a break (he’s got an immune deficiency).
But, the last few weeks it’s become clear that he needs kids to play with. And I need the time to work. So, we found a “school” that we like. And today was his first day. Going to pick him up in a few minutes! Eee!
Twitter: d20blonde
We do love our children’s daycare. They do more stuff than I would be able to manage on my own, plus, each class is geared to my children’s different ages. It also means that we don’t have to have as many toys in our home as they aren’t here all the time!
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Even though I am not technically a working mom, I couldn’t agree more. I have been trying to explain to my husband the importance of putting Noah in a mothers morning out program. While yes I do have some alterior motives with baby Bryce arriving soon, I also think social interaction and getting used to a school setting is crucial.
Now if I could only find one……
Twitter: Uncoordmommy