Acknowledgements - gapitc

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Just Like Home
Use these strategies to help your baby feel more comfortable with her teacher
when you drop her off at the center:
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In addition to the diapers, bottles, food, and extra clothing you pack, include a
stuffed animal or favorite blanket from home.
Bring in pictures of family and pets that teachers can display and talk about
during the day with your infant.
Have a goodbye routine—a hug or kiss—that will let your infant know you
are going to leave.
Whenever possible, spend a little extra time playing with your infant until she
is settled. If your schedule permits, drop in for feeding and cuddling before
your baby’s naptime.
Let the teacher hold and distract an older infant reluctant to leave you. The
teacher will help your baby become comfortable while you are away.
You and other family members are the most significant people in your infant’s
world. If he is in a center or family child care home, his teachers will offer the next
most important relationships. All relationships should communicate trust and mutual
respect.
Call your relatives by their “family name,” so your baby can hear and learn these
names even before they understand how family members are related.Say for example,
“Here comes Nana,” “Let’s go visit Auntie Netta,” “Blow Grannie-Annie a kiss,” or
“Give Big Papa the truck.”
It is normal for babies to have a fear of unfamiliar people.Keep your infant close to you
and let her make eye contact and then physical contact when she is comfortable.
Names are important and convey a person’s special identity. Children’s names often
have a special meaning to the family. Call your baby by his name often. Use his name
to describe his belongings, for example, “This is Byron’s blue blanket.”