Marriage in the Trenches of Parenthood

 

There’s this idea some people still carry that daycare or early childcare isn’t real school. That it’s just babysitting until kids are old enough for the serious stuff.

But if you’ve ever seen a toddler figure out how to share, or a three-year-old raise their hand before speaking, or a preschooler recognize the first letter of their name, you know how real it all is.

Childcare from 6 weeks to 5 years isn’t just a placeholder. It’s where some of the most important growth happens.

My daughter started attending care at 4 months old, took a little break, and returned at 13 months. Even at that young age, I started to see how much she absorbed from simply being around other children. How she began to explore, interact, and respond to a rhythm beyond what we could create at home.

This is where children begin learning how to exist in a group setting. How to follow directions, listen to others, handle emotions, wait their turn, clean up after themselves, and use their words. These aren’t just cute milestones. These are real life skills. And while we do our best to teach them at home, sometimes the most effective lessons come from watching and interacting with their peers.

When kids are given time to experience structure, community, and gentle expectations before kindergarten, they enter school more confident, more prepared, and often with fewer behavioral challenges. They’re not being tossed into something completely unfamiliar. They’ve had time to practice being a part of something bigger than themselves.

So if your child is in daycare, part-time care, or an early learning program, know that it matters. It’s not just care. It’s development. It’s preparation. It’s growth.

And if your child isn’t in early childcare, whether by choice or by circumstance, there are still so many meaningful ways to support their development at home. For babies under a year old, engage them with tummy time, high contrast cards, mirrors, and music. Attend mommy and me classes, story time at the library, or playdates when you can. Even the smallest activities, like narrating your day or giving them time to explore textures, lay the groundwork for learning.

What matters most is that they’re being loved, spoken to, and given opportunities to grow. That they’re invited into a world that sparks their curiosity and helps them feel safe to explore it.

Early care comes in many forms. And no matter how it looks for your family, it’s all real learning!