https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:45:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-50291 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:43:53 +0000 mrscheesefries 50291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When the time comes for us, I want to pursue daycare for the exposure to new and different things. Things I don't know that I don't know, if that makes sense. I think the socialization is important, as well as learning to adapt to a different environment away from parents. A woman I work with is convinced that kids need exposure to the different germs and whatnot in those settings too, and it makes sense to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-50222 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:07:14 +0000 Modern Daisy 50222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister puts her 3 kids in daycare and they are WAY more outgoing than my brothers 4 kids whose wife stays home. I was also raised by a SAHM and I was definitely a lot more shy and not very outgoing because of it. As far as teaching, I'm sure a SAHM could do just as much teaching as the daycare, but the only difference like PP's have said is that it's someone else teaching your child which probably does make a difference. I would imagine it would help them learn to respect authority figures and of course the different styles of teaching might benefit some kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-50215 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:59:55 +0000 mrstilly 50215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started DS in daycare at 5 months. I went back to work at 3 months and DH had the summer off from teaching. I didn't think the socialization part would come into play that early, but he has always loved the other kids there and his verbal skills are above average. They talk to him and play with him all day. He is in an in-home daycare with 2-5 year olds, so this wouldn't be true of a daycare where there are classes based on age though. I don't think at his age it would necessarily be enough to put him in daycare if we didn't have to, but it is definitely a plus. He's also got a better routine down than he did when he was home. He eats better at daycare watching the other kids (he mimics them a lot!)<br /> Even with all the things I love about the in-home daycare DS goes to, I wouldn't be telling a SAHM that she should put an infant in daycare. I wouldn't have opted to put Ds in daycare until at least a year if I had a choice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-50130 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:08:05 +0000 SugarplumsMom 50130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our house is next to a daycare and playground it was a big plus when we considered buying. I always thought it would be awesome to be able to walk LO over while it freed me up to do some errands and pursue my language studies.</p> <p>However, I just learned that daycares in Sweden don't admit any child that's under 1 yrs old. It was a bit of a shock because I didn't anticipate it - basically a parent is supposed to stay home with their LO for at least a year. </p> <p>After giving it more thought, it's actually great! Like yourself, I don't see what a baby can get out of daycare, a toddler is different, but a baby is a bit young. People's opinions are based on the norm, and I grew up in the States so I thought it was normal as well (especially since everyone has to go back to work so soon after). But it's not the norm everywhere and you're definitely not alone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-50124 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:23:55 +0000 looch 50124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted to respond to this last night but sleep trumped on line time!</p> <p>I think this is one of those areas where it doesn't matter. I don't view day care as school, so for the time being, I am at home with my son. When it's time for him to go to preschool, he'll attend at least part time a few days a week to help him learn things that we don't cover at home. </p> <p>I have a friend who has a daughter one month younger than my son. She doesn't crawl, doesn't stand, doesn't sit up, doesn't really do much of anything. She can be passed around from person to person without a lot of fuss and does eat a lot of table food. She's been in day care since she was a few months old, I've been at home with my son and at the same age, he was crawling, sitting up, standing, etc. So I don't know what they're "teaching" her at day care that I can't do at home.</p> <p>I know it's hard to hear what other people have to say, we all want to give our children the most advantages that we can, but I think socialization under 2 years old isn't enough of a priority for me to send my son to day care. I am of the mind that I would like him to be able to speak and verbalize his feelings before I send him to be cared by someone else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49885 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:21:17 +0000 Lozza 49885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's nothing daycare can teach my kid that I CAN'T, but they think of stuff that I don't. And they just do different activities and have different conversations and learn about different things than what comes up in our daily life at home. It complements what we learn and do at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49843 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:40:27 +0000 Rock n Roll 49843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it's a big deal. Some of my siblings stayed at home with mom, some of us went to daycare. We all are intelligent, capable and well rounded adults. We did pre-school when we were old enough. My husband's family stayed home with mom and didn't even do pre-school. And yet, we all grew up to be socially normal people with good jobs and friends. </p> <p>I think the big difference is that kids that don't go to daycare aren't institutionalized from as young an age, so they just get used to that at a different age. And frankly, whether children need to get used to an institutionalized setting will probably be less relevant as time goes on and the workforce changes with working at home becoming a more viable option for people and a more cost effective option for corporations.</p> <p>It's fun for kids to go and make friends, but it's hardly necessary to spend your money on a service you don't need just to appease people who are judging your parenting. We're all spending too much or not enough time with our children according to someone. Do what makes sense for you and don't let anyone else make you feel bad about it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49833 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:23:14 +0000 mrbee 49833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was pretty skeptical, but Charlie's development exploded when he started daycare. It's kind of crazy, especially since it's only been four months or so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49831 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:21:20 +0000 daniellemybelle 49831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others that the benefits for a baby under a year old to go to daycare are probably slim. I can understand an older baby / toddler needing to learn to be independent of their parents, and the other things people have mentioned, but I don't see the value of that for an infant to the point that they are somehow missing out. While I'm not a parent yet, I will probably do some form of daycare for our baby at 6 mo. or so so I can have "me" time and potentially work part-time, but that would be for more selfish reasons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49810 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:01:58 +0000 Coastinganon 49810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We recognized that my son (now 2.5) was a very social baby at an early age...like a few weeks old. He thrived in an atmosphere where there were other children/people around. Now, clearly, that is a socialization point, but stick with me. I made it point to get out every day with him and do something social...there are a wealth of mom/baby groups/classes in my area. We had a nanny for him one day a week when he was 7 months old, but it soon became clear that he would do really well in a more social environment. And here's where the daycare and learning comes in. I chose a home daycare that focused with a clear curriculum. ALthough my son was young, only a year, the older students around him were examples to him of how to share, how to socialize, how to express himself with his peers. That in and of itself was priceless, but probably most importantly for me was that my son was a late gross motor developer. Every day he was at the daycare, they did yoga with him and other exercises...all things that sure, I COULD have done at home, but since it wasn't mommy trying to get him to do stuff (he was also VERY independent and hated being 'helped' by us) he thrived in this atmosphere.</p> <p>I don't have to send my son to daycare. I am a work at home mom, but my work is volunteer/recreational. But I absolutely see the benefit in sending my son to daycare. Now, clearly he is older than your child, but still, just being there and observing the older kids is a different experience than you can provide at home. Not better or worse, just different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49806 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:59:54 +0000 chopsuey 49806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We haven't even taken our LO to the nursery at church (once a week for an hour) because we don't like the idea of her crawling around on the floor (probably dirty) and putting everything into her mouth. I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to my LO and cleanliness. Plus I need to supervise what's going on when my LO has play dates.<br /> Once she starts walking and when she stops putting everything in her mouth I'll feel more comfortable letting her "play" with other children without me there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49790 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:35:56 +0000 cvbee 49790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a junior kindergarten teacher, I can say that there is definitely a huge difference between the kids who went to daycare and the ones who didn't. But I think that's just because the routines are similar. </p> <p>By halfway through the year, the kids who didn't go to daycare have 'caught up' in the social and routine stuff. </p> <p>I'd say there are great things about both, but before I was a JK teacher I was so sure that being a SAHM would be the best choice for my children, but after seeing how well the daycare kids did, I changed my mind about daycare </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49783 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:16:02 +0000 Andrea 49783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to work after 6 months and that is when my daughter started daycare. I did not notice any huge change once she started. At that young age, the daycare mainly works on meeting their basic needs. I think it's a bit silly that anyone is telling you that your LO needs to go to daycare right now. But I think once they are older than a year, the daycare benefits that PPs have already mentioned really start to kick in. </p> <p>While Gymboree and other classes provide socialization, you are still there. My daughter still hangs onto me when we go to those types of classes. We went to a music class a few months ago and she sat in my lap the entire time and would not budge. So you can't say that was any sort of socialization. Having the parent not around really changes the dynamic of how children play and interact with each other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49777 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:02:56 +0000 Mrs. Bee 49777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Charlie started daycare at 21 months old and was with a nanny up until that point. I think it was the perfect age for him to start! He learns soooo much there and comes home saying something new and funny practically every day.</p> <p>The benefits for toddlers include getting used to authority figures other than parents, learning to function/share in a classroom setting, and of course the socialization. I could never do as many activities as he does in daycare -- Spanish, singing, dancing, cooking, arts and crafts, yoga -- their days are jam packed! </p> <p>But as for the benefit of daycare for babies... it does socialize them to a degree even at that young age, and gets them on a schedule. A lot of babies nap/sleep better when they're in daycare. But I don't think it's necessarily better than being at home.</p> <p>We're going to put Olive in daycare at some point, but not until she's older. I want her to be home for at least the first year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49761 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:39:33 +0000 yoursilverlining 49761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: Yeah, I don’t really know what benefits daycare would have for a baby either, but I have not spent much time around babies so I’m not really sure when they start really interacting with others and getting things out of that interaction. I think most of what my husband’s friend was saying would be more applicable at like age 1 and up. At least, that’s how I took it. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49758 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:36:07 +0000 MamaMoose 49758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The difference between socialization at day care and socialization and gymboree or story time is that at day care YOU aren't there. Your child learns to be more independent of you. At 5 months... this is obviously not an issue... but later on it might be something to consider. My mom was a full time stay at home mom but for both me and my brother for the year before we started preschool she put us in day care 2 days a week. It helped us to learn to interact with other children and other adults, without mom or dad being there for guidance. That way once we started preschool 5 days a week it wasn't a total culture shock.</p> <p>Not to mention it gave my mom a break to clean the house and run errands and do all the things that are easier to do when you don't have a child following you around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49757 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:35:53 +0000 heffalump 49757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tina: It's very hard for me to not say, "You SHOULD mind your own business!" when people tell me I should do something as a parent. I mean really, don't people know that you're just not supposed to tell a parent how to be a parent? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49754 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:33:19 +0000 mrs. wagon 49754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The day I decided to put RJ in daycare was the day he threw his first tantrum. I realized that I could take care of a baby and help him develop, but I didn't have the patience or capacity to teach a child how to identify his emotions, be patient, and share. I know plenty of moms who are able to do this just fine until their kids start preschool or kindergarten. They just stay super involved, go to things like gymboree and playdates and swim class. It's a lot of work, and I chose to pay a center to do it instead of myself. </p> <p>It's all completely a personal choice and you should do what's best for yourself and your family. Whenever people tell me what I "should" be doing as a mom, I politely smile and nod and completely disregard what they say. The only person who can make those kinds of suggestions to me is Rob Sr. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49753 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:32:10 +0000 heffalump 49753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: That's understandable... but like you said it makes more sense for a toddler. Everybody I've been talking to is telling me to put my 5 1/2 month old in day care, and I've been hearing this since she was 3 months old. I just don't see what she'd get out of it. I do plan on putting my LO in preschool in a few years, part time to start with and then she'll go to full time when she's a little older because I do think it's important for toddlers to socialize and have a life besides their mommy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49748 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:28:39 +0000 yoursilverlining 49748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Over Christmas I was talking to a friend of my husband’s about daycare. She has a 4 year old son, and was a SAHM (now transitioning back to work) and she said she wishes she had put her son in daycare, at least part time from the start. </p> <p>Her main reason is “socialization” but the ways she explained it, that’s more than just getting out and playing in play dates or once a week structured group activities. Her big topics were:</p> <p>Learning to share. She said its more about really learning to share with others, outside of mom. Of course you can teach your child to share, but if no one but you is there to actually have to share with, it’s going to be a different experience than having to share resources everyday with a variety of different kids/personalities. </p> <p>Learning to be independent of mom. Not as important for infants, but its important for toddlers to start to learn to navigate personalities and personality types. Learn to make friends outside of mom. Learn to interact with other people to express your needs/wants, and not just to someone who is there one on one for you 24/7. She said she thinks daycare fosters more self reliance as well.</p> <p>Clearly, its not really that applicable for an infant/baby, but more for a toddler.</p> <p>Its sort of like – sure, you can teach these things, but they are so much easier to actually learn in the real world. Her analogy was: you can take online classes and learn and pass and get the same grade as someone doing traditional classes, but your total overall experience and what you gain isn’t the same as actually being a fulltime student in a classroom. There are differences that you can’t replicate when the majority of your time is spent 1:1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49746 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:27:04 +0000 Maysprout 49746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: I found out when I went to a momma's group around 4-5 months that my wee one was fascinated with other babies. So now I take her to a momma's group, the library, and we aim to be more regular at church since there's lots of kids playing there. She's not in daycare but there's other places she can interact with kiddos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49744 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:24:28 +0000 Mrsbells 49744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Its all about interacting with other kids.It really changes the children to learn to deal with authority other than mom n dad and learn to share attention with several other kids. It helps them understand the world doesnt revolve around them and when they get older it improves their speech, ability to listen and focus and helps them follow routines. I teach a class with my church kids on saturdays and sundays of 2 year olds and 3 year olds and all the parents comment about how different their kids are after a month of starting the class </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49741 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:16:52 +0000 heffalump 49741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: I do agree that kids learn quicker through each other, but I also don't think it's a huge deal if they don't have that. My baby is meeting all of her milestones on time. She's doing just fine. </p> <p>I should also add that I don't care to focus on her education just yet. I know parents who started using flash cards with their babies at 3 months. I feel that my baby is just that, a baby. She should be playing right now, and through play she will learn things. My preschool focused on learning through play, and I want my daughter to have that same experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49740 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:13:45 +0000 mrsjyw 49740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with you that the main benefit of daycare is the socialization aspect. While I plan to go back to work full-time, our future baby(ies) will be raised by grandparents and we won't be enrolling them in daycare. I will look to the same groups as you and most likely our church groups/kids activities for the socialization aspect. </p> <p>I think it's the faster learning through socialization aspect. I think that when kids learn together, there are subtle, yet key differences and benefits in learning versus learning at home by themselves with a parent.</p> <p>Just my 'not yet parental' two cents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-daycare-teach-my-baby-that-i-cant#post-49737 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:09:05 +0000 heffalump 49737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Multiple people have told me that I should put my baby in daycare because they learn so much there. Just last night I was talking to a friend who works at a daycare (not a parent) and he again told me this. I asked him why, and he said that "it's just different" and he said that he just taught his kids how to sign thank you.</p> <p>Ok, I can teach my baby sign language if I wanted to. I don't want to, I've read that it might slow down their speech because they can communicate already, so why use words. But that's besides the point.</p> <p>I know that daycare is good for socialization. My baby is 5 1/2 months, so I'm not worried about socialization yet. And I feel like when it is time to socialize, we will do things like story hour, gymboree, play dates, etc. I don't think you have to be at daycare all day in order to be socialized. </p> <p>So will somebody please tell me what I'm missing out on by not putting my baby in daycare? I have nothing against daycare, I understand that people either have to or want to work and daycare is a good option for those people. But I don't have to, nor do I want to work. I want to spend my days with my baby. </p>