It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we won’t make a dent in our child’s learning and development because we are away at work a lot. The truth is, you actually hold so much power as your child’s parent or caregiver. Even just a few minutes of time spent well with you, is a few minutes of valuable learning opportunities that otherwise would not be available to your child with a minder or teacher. It’s quality over quantity!
Firstly, your child’s getting individual, customised attention. It’s not just about academics or basic care & safety (which would be the priority of externally-sourced carers).
Secondly, being in your presence builds on the bond you have together. This bond and connection is also key to increasing the likelihood of absorption & retention of information (e.g. new words, core values, etc).
Thirdly, home life presents a child with a multitude of learning opportunities that are completely different from anything they can get in school (e.g. language related to home activities or family interactions).
Every little bit counts toward ensuring your child grows well across different areas, cognitively and socially. It really does take a village! It’s not just on you and their teachers, either. If your child’s minders include a helper or relatives (e.g. grandparents), they too can make a difference if they know how to create good-quality interactions.