3 Ways to Foster Early Development in Daycare

For the sake of this article there are a few terms to clarify: “early development” means motor skill development in the infant stages and skills like tummy time, rolling and sitting. “Daycare” is a childcare setting where multiple children are being taken care of at once and the center is not owned locally.

If you're a parent and daycare is part of the fabric of your family then here are some tips on fostering early development - even when you aren't able to be there!

A little personal background; both of my boys have been in some level of daycare since infancy. And since I work with parents to foster their babies early motor development, the quality of childcare was critical to me feeling confident while I was at work. Here are some tips to build and nurture your child’s early development while in daycare:

• Talk to your teacher(s): It’s easier said than done but incredibly worth it; when you build a collaborative + supportive relationship with the daycare teachers they keep your little one top of mind without even realizing it. That means the tips that you’re providing them about how your little one prefers to practice tummy time or ways to encourage an optimal latch will stay in their brains a little longer. The longer a tip is in their mind, the more often they will use it to foster your little ones early development during the class routine. Easy ways to build a relationship:

  • Remember their name and use it in conversation - think of how great it feels when someone calls you by your name and not “Mom”.

  • Simply say “thank you” when you drop your child off or share a little about what you’re seeing your baby do (clapping, smiling more, how much they’re growing).

  • Drop off a coffee gift card just because - not only during “Teacher Appreciation Week”.

• Bring “the” toys: Yes, you already bring diapers/wipes/blankets/milk…the list feels pretty long already. But a prime example of this is a seat that promotes the best posture during early sitting. “The UpSeat” is the best option for alignment of your baby’s trunk and hips during early sitting (the true best is the floor but for the sake of this post, it’s an off the shelf seat). Most childcare centers don’t have this option for various reasons. If they don't have a tool your child needs to succeed - bring one for the whole class to use! (You can get these refurbished at an amazing deal). A few items infant rooms may not have but could use:

  • The UpSeat: sitting practice; refurbished option linked here.

  • Simple and cost effective activities: keep these developmentally appropriate but here are a few ideas.

  • Oral motor toys: essentially teething toys but pssst, here’s a secret: usually teething toys can be used for babies that are working on their gag reflex and always used with supervision for safety. Here’s a few linked here that you can order online.

• Devote time at home: I see you rushing from home to drop baby off in the morning, making it to the office right on time, working a full day then rushing from the office to pick up your baby. I know the days feels endless and fleeting all at once but carving out a few minutes for connection through purposeful play at home will carry over when baby is interacting with their peers and teachers at school. Babies need frequent, small and open-ended opportunities and they can build those skills with you at home and then practice with their teachers and peers.

• Bonus: if your child has a therapist (physical, speech or occupational) - be open to having the PT, OT or SLP come to the daycare for a visit. Personally, this is a game changer for so many of the families I work with and I’m happy to support them in that environment!

These are not a “one size fits all” prescription but they will open up a dialogue which is a huge step forward. It's likely that your childcare center has a curriculum for early development and being aware of that is fantastic. But every baby is different and how your baby engages in that curriculum is something you will know the best as the parent - and the teachers are likely looking for that guidance. Because you're the expert on your baby and they are knowledgeable in the skills your baby needs to learn - that's where you meet in the middle! And then your baby gets the benefit of both perspectives.

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Kelsey is a doctor of physical therapy who works with mama’s and their babies in their homes. She uses a coaching style to empower mama to support her babies motor development without stress or guilt. And focuses on mama’s pelvic health during pregnancy and the postpartum journey - with less leakage and pain. Kelsey is a working mama of two under 5 so she understands the transition back to the office and the exhaustion of pumping, feeding and the desire to still nurture your dreams and ambitions. She looks forward to helping you and your little one explore and stay mobile during whatever adventures you seek! You can connect with Kelsey on Instagram @the.mobility.project