Raising a child is no simple feat. You are responsible for helping another person learn and grow in the safest, healthiest environment you can muster.
From cooking well-rounded meals to making sure they get enough physical activity, there’s so much that goes into raising a happy and healthy kid!
Luckily for Illinois parents, there are many options for keeping your kids busy and their minds stimulated. Take a look at these five great things to know about raising your child in Illinois so you can always do what’s best for them!
You Have Options When It Comes to Childcare
Before your child reaches school age (and sometimes even when they do) you may start looking into childcare options for when you are at work. You may decide a nanny is best for your family, or you may think daycare is the right way to go.
Hiring a nanny is an excellent option for parents who need a more flexible schedule and could use a hand with minor household work. Nannies also allow for more one-on-one time, since it’s likely it will just be the two of them all day.
However, hiring a nanny tends to cost a little more per month than the average daycare, making it a less feasible option for some families.
Don’t fret, though! There are many daycares in Chicago that all offer programs to get your child learning in a creative environment. It may take some time to find the perfect one, but there is a daycare option for every child.
Whether it’s all-day care or just an after-school program, you will be able to choose a daycare center that suits your family’s needs best.
Daycare Costs Vary
If you decide to use a daycare to help supplement your child’s learning, it can be a great way to save money over hiring a nanny. Plus, the cost of every daycare and their programs varies, giving you options when it comes to what you’re comfortable paying every month.
As seen on ladybug-daycare.com, the cost range of daycare depends on your child’s age and the program you choose. Full-time care will, of course, cost more than only after-school care, while programs for children under two tend to cost more than when the child grows and becomes more self-sufficient.
Every daycare in Chicago offers its own pricing, letting you find the place that makes the most sense for your budget. If the first place you look at seems like way too much, you can always find another great facility to encourage learning for your child!
Socialization is Key
Whether they spend time at daycare or not, socialization is so important for young children. They need to get out and play with other kids their age to learn healthy communication skills that will stay with them as they grow older.
Neighborhood friends are a great start, or simply heading to the playground and meeting new friendly faces. No matter how you do it, it’s crucial to get your child engaged with their peers.
Socializing with adults is also vital in their development, as they can start picking up more advanced social skills that may help them expand their vocabularies.
Without practice speaking to others, your child wouldn’t get to learn the best ways to communicate their thoughts and feelings. That’s why it’s so great that there is so much to do in Illinois—you have so many places to go and things to do where they can make new friends!
Get Outside!
Arts and crafts are great for developing fine motor skills and letting your child be creative, but they also need to work their gross motor skills with active play. Heading outside for some physical playtime not only gets them moving but gets them the fresh air they need to feel good.
All around Illinois, but especially in Chicago, there are so many unique places to go and explore. Simply going for a walk around the neighborhood can do the trick to get your child active, even if it is just for just a few minutes.
Something fun yet challenging like an outdoor obstacle course or kayaking will get your child excited to spend some time outside. If they aren’t quite big enough yet for something so challenging, an easy hike or a trip to the playground is just as much fun.
There is so much to do and even more to explore in such a lively place as the Windy City. Simply stepping out your front door can lead to a world of adventure!
They’re Always Learning
Your child learns just as much from you as in any classroom. They’re constantly listening to and observing you, so they pick up on how you act and conduct yourself.
That’s why it’s essential to model the behaviors you want to see in your child. Treating others with kindness, cleaning up your messes, and even making mistakes can teach your children what is acceptable behavior as they grow.
The classroom may teach children more facts and important knowledge like the alphabet and numbers, but they learn the most about the real world at home. You are the one who teaches them to walk, to speak, and to dress in the morning, after all!
To your child, you are a role model. If you act the part, they will feel more confident mirroring your positive behavior and have more self-esteem.
Illinois parents, the trick is to not think so much about raising a child. After all, you are not the only one involved in that process. Use your fellow parents as a resource and just do your best!
As long as you give everything you can to your child, you will watch them continue to learn and grow as they get a little older. Enjoy activities together, ask about their day and always make sure you take the time to get in some much-needed quality time.
Enjoying the journey of raising a child is really all there is to it!
