Baby Room Benefits
Parents often ask: “What is the best age to send my child to nursery?”. But like most parenting advice, the answer isn’t cut and dry. The truth is, there is no ‘right’ age to send your child to nursery, there is only what’s best for your family and your personal circumstances. For some parents, it’s when they need or want to return to work after parental leave. For others, it can be later, and the decision is based on helping their child to develop social (and other) skills before starting school. Whatever your circumstances, or the age of your child, there are many benefits of nursery for all ages and stages of development.
For the purpose of this article, we explore six ways in which nursery can support your baby’s growth and development...
Six Benefits of Nursery for Babies
- Variety of Activities
The variety of interactive and stimulating activities offered at nursery plays a crucial role in nurturing and encouraging your child’s development. These activities are expertly designed to engage babies in exploring a wide range of sensory environments. By introducing different sounds, textures, and smells, nurseries create a rich and diverse learning experience. Research shows that this sensory exploration helps babies develop their cognitive and motor skills, as well as their ability to process and respond to different stimuli.
- Early Language Development
Interaction with nursery practitioners and peers is so important for your baby’s early language development. Through daily interactions, babies are exposed to a rich variety of words and phrases, which helps to expand their vocabulary and understanding of language.
These interactions occur in several different contexts, such as during playtime, story sessions, and routine activities, providing babies with numerous opportunities to hear and practice new words. Nursery practitioners often use engaging methods like songs, rhymes, and storytelling to make language learning fun and effective. Additionally, social interactions with peers encourage babies to communicate, developing their verbal skills and build confidence. For more on how babies begin verbal communication, take a look at our blog post, What Do Your Baby’s Babbles Mean?
- Socialisation
Becoming more socialised and interacting with children of a similar age helps your baby establish connections and make friends. Children learn a lot from their peers, even from a very young age. From helping and copying one another, to learning to share and take turns; all are integral parts of their learning and development journey.
- Stability and Routine
Following the routine your baby or toddler has at home, nursery staff work closely with you and your child to create an environment that feels familiar and safe. This collaboration ensures that the transition between your home and nursery is smooth and comforting for your baby.
By maintaining a consistent routine, such as regular mealtimes, nap times, and play sessions, nurseries can help provide a sense of stability and predictability. This structured environment helps your child understand what to expect throughout the day, reducing anxiety and creating a sense of security. As a result, your child feels more confident and secure, which supports their holistic emotional wellbeing and development.
- Build Physical Stamina and Support Large Motor Skills Development
Nursery provides a diverse range of environments designed to support the physical development of your baby. The surroundings include soft, safe areas where children can roll over, crawl, pull up, and explore freely.
Such activities are essential for developing physical stamina and enhancing large motor skills. The constant stimulation and variety of new activities available at nursery help to build both stamina and skill development. By engaging in different physical tasks, children strengthen their muscles, improve coordination, and gain confidence in their movements.
- A Place for Support and Information for Parents
Nurseries provide a valuable community and resource for parents, offering a place where any questions or concerns about your baby can be shared with experienced practitioners. During crucial stages of your baby’s development, such as weaning and potty training, nursery staff are there to support you every step of the way.
They can work in partnership with you to introduce solids and new foods, ensuring that your baby transitions smoothly to a varied diet. Additionally, they are always on hand to offer advice and tips for potty training, helping to make this important milestone as stress-free as possible. This support extends beyond just practical advice; nursery staff can also provide reassurance and guidance, helping you feel more confident in your parenting journey.
If you enjoyed this article and found it to be useful, you can check out more of our early childcare resources in our Family Resource Zone!
And, if you’re not yet a Bright Horizons parent, but are interested in what our nurseries can offer your child on their exciting educational journey, book a personal tour at your local nursery today!
