9 Ways to Maximize Family Time

Today, we are so busy with our schedules that it’s hard to find time to spend together with our family. Parents magazine has 9 great ideas on how to maximize quality family time. Click here to read the article.

The Importance of Play at Preschool

Preschool is the time to prepare your child for elementary school. You may wonder how play fits into the preschool setting, but even though a preschool day is jammed packed, it’s important to make time for play.


Up until the age of 2, children tend to play by themselves with little interaction with others. But after age 2, right around preschool age, children’s play becomes more sophisticated and interactive.

Around 2½ to 3 years, preschoolers start to seek out other kids with similar interests and they begin to interact with them. And as language skills continue to develop you begin to see elements of cooperative play.

Between 4 and 5 years, preschoolers begin to actively seek out seek kids with similar interests and the level of play becomes even more elaborate. Children create creative play scenes, they take turns, and they begin to work together toward mutual goals.

For younger children 2 to 4 years old, you can begin to facilitate play at home by setting up a space for your child and a friend and helping them find the words to express their questions or needs. As children get older play becomes natural and they need less help to socialize.

Ask about play when choosing a preschool

When you tour potential preschools for your child ask for their philosophy about play. Preschoolers need opportunities to play, prepared spaces for them to explore and responsive teachers to support their learning. Such a setting prepares children not only to become students who will work with others cooperatively and approach learning with excitement.

Developmental Milestones: Birth - 6 month

Many parents worry about their child’s development. Parents hear what other parents are saying about their child’s development and worry that their child is behind. The truth is, although each milestone has an age level, the actual age when a normally developing child reaches that milestone can vary. Every child is unique.

What are developmental milestones?
Developmental milestones are a group of age-specific tasks that are appropriate for most children. Today we are going to talk about developmental milestones from birth to 6 months. Please keep in mind that these are only guidelines and all children develop at their own pace so don’t get too concerned if your child lags in a certain task.

Developmental Milestones for a One-Month Old
When you first bring you baby home it seems like all the do is eat and sleep. By the end of the first month your baby should become much more alert and responsive. Some milestones might include:

•Bringing hands within range of eyes and mouth
•Moving head from side to side during tummy time
•Flopping head backward if unsupported
•Keeping hands in a tight fist

Developmental Milestones for a Three-Month Old
Around 3 months of age your baby will become much more active and many newborn traits will begin to fade. Babies around this age often have more control over their body and can spend hours entertaining themselves discovering their hands.

Some milestones may include:

•Raising their head and chest during tummy time
•Grasping and shaking hand toys
•Beginning to babble
•Beginning to imitate some sounds
•Turning head toward direction of sound
•Beginning to develop a social smile
•Enjoying playing with other people and crying when playing stops

Developmental Milestones for a Seven-Month Old
Many important changes occur between 4 and 7 months of age. Your baby will learn to coordinate their motor skills and start to develop their senses like vision, touch and hearing.

Some milestones may include

•Rolling both ways (front to back, back to front)
•Sitting with, and then without, support of her hands
•Supporting his or her whole weight on their legs
•Reaching with one hand
•Tracking moving objects
•Responding to own name
•Beginning to respond to “no”
•Distinguishing emotions by tone of voice
•Enjoying social play

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s development, please contact your pediatrician or for more information please visit the American Academy Pediatrics website

Source: http://www.aap.org

Summer Camp at Goddard

I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s that time of year to start to make plans for your child’s summer camps. Make sure you register early so you can reserve you child’s spot in our exciting and fun summer camp here at Goddard.

Beyond summer camp: Goddard’s summer program blends fun, adventure and learning for your child's best summer yet.

The Goddard School®summer program offers a safe and nurturing program.  Each school develops a unique learning experience for the children in their neighborhood.  Teachers provide a stimulating experience for children - full of
age-appropriate activities and oodles of fun based on the Goddard Developmental Guidelines.

The Goddard School® summer calendar includes special visitors and cultural events throughout the summer.  Visitors provide exciting learning opportunities in a safe environment, and include community helpers; performances by storytellers, musicians, and magicians; as well as outreach programs through local museums

Arts & Crafts is a learning element that provides children the opportunity to stretch their creativity and work with their hands to make special summer memories.

Music & Movement may be one of the most exciting features of Goddard’s summer program. Everyone is having fun, and they’re learning rhythm and tempo.

Cooking incorporates a creative ingredient into the learning process.  Children make Bug Sandwiches for a Friendship Picnic, and in the process they learn to measure, make decisions, and work together.

Literature & Language may be the most compatible school year component. Children explore poetry, prose, creative writing, and storytelling

Science & Nature is a natural component of the summer program.  From nature walks to experiments,observations, and investigations, children expand their cognitive skills.

Computers & Technology are part of each child’s everyday schedule.  Goddard’s summer program promotes dexterity and familiarity with this universal tool in a safe environment.

Sports & Games is a vital aspect of Goddard’s commitment to children’s fitness and nutrition. Children participate in Scavenger Hunts, Sprinkler Fun, and Obstacle Courses.

Drama stretches imaginations, plays with role models, and expands each learning opportunity

Click here to see Goddard's Summer Program

Grocery Shopping With Kids

Parents often find it difficult to grocery shop with kids in tow. But a little planning can help turn grocery shopping into a well oiled machine. Here are some simple tips to planning a better trip to the grocery store.

The Time of Day Matters – your just adding fuel to the fire if your choose to market with a passel of kids during prime marketing hours. Avoid weekends unless you are going early. Otherwise go when the crowds are working, during the week or find a good, low traffic time that fits into your schedule.

Be Prepared – it’s not just the Boy Scout motto, you need to be prepared to deal your child’s needs, moods and short attention span. Come prepared with snacks and drinks, toys without small pieces and maybe even a video game or two.

Plan Meals – this can be good for a variety of reasons. If you can plan out a majority of your meals, you will know exactly which aisle you need to visit. This can reduce the amount of “I want” requests you get from your kids during a typical trip. This will also reduce the time it takes to browse the aisles for meal ideas; getting you to your car more quickly.

Make a List & Check it Twice – the power of the list is well documented. List all the ingredients and household items you’ll need from the market. If you really want to take this to the extreme, you can order the items on your list to correspond to the aisles you will travel in the market. Many grocery stores have online maps showing you what’s in each aisle.

Become a Coupon Diva – since you already have your meals planned and your list of purchases, check your newspaper circular or look online for the latest coupons. Using coupons doesn’t take any more time in the market but it can really have an impact on the family budget.

Independence

Children are always striving for more independence. As your toddler moves from preschool to elementary school they are going to want, and need more responsibility and more independence. But as parents you might be apprehensive about how to give them enough freedom without giving them too much.

Here are a few ways that your child can get more responsibility around the house that will help build their confidence and teach responsibility.

Organizing Their Belongings

Kids are perpetually making messes around the house. Often parents simply accept messy behavior, but now is a great time to teach your child how to take care of their belongings. Have your child organize their clothes, books and other belongings into plastics bins. When they come home from school make sure that they put their stuff away and praise them for their organization and responsibility.

Getting Ready for School

Give your child the responsibility to collect their books, pack their book bag and prepare their lunch. Buy prepackaged fruits, help them make a sandwich and pour their drink. They can feel proud when they open their lunch at school knowing that they packed it themselves.

Help Set the Table

If you’re lucky enough to still eat dinner together as a family then you might get your child to set the table, especially if paper plates are involved. This teaches children valuable life skills and pride in the fact that they can contribute to the family’s dinner.

It’s difficult to judge how much responsibility is best for your child. Just make sure that you provide the proper supervision and make certain the task isn’t too difficult for them to handle.

Talking to Your Kids about Tragedy

With the tragedy that has happened in Japan in the past few weeks, it’s easy for your child to see images that make them upset or prompt them to ask difficult questions. For young children, it’s hard to comprehend tragedy and this can lead to a strong emotional response.

Here are some tips from experts on how you can help your child deal with tragedy.

• Tell your child that it’s ok to ask questions. This provides an outlet for your child’s fear and it can tell you how much they already know.
• Answer your child with honest answers that are appropriate for their age. Be honest, but be mindful not to scare them. Try sticking to the facts rather than focusing on the emotional aspects of the tragedy.
• It may be tempting to keep your TV tuned to CNN all day, but try to limit TV and radio exposure with preschoolers and toddlers.
• Reassure your child. Make them feel as safe as possible and let them know that you are watching over and protecting them.
• Focus on the overwhelming, international help that’s being given to those in need.

For children having difficulty dealing with tragedy you can seek the help of a professional. Your pediatrician is always a great place to start

Goddard Summer Camp

I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s that time of year to start to make plans for your child’s summer camps. Make sure you register early so you can reserve you child’s spot in our exciting and fun summer camp here at Goddard.

Beyond summer camp: Goddard’s summer program blends fun, adventure and learning for your child's best summer yet.

Delight your child with our unique FLEX Learning Program™ summer program activities, where play and educational opportunities abound!

Most summer camps for kids offer plenty of play. But how many prepare your child for school while creating joyful, lasting summer memories? The Goddard School® goes far beyond just summer camp fun. Our summer program combines songs, stories, exploration, physical activities and learning adventures in a safe, nurturing environment. Science and Nature, Arts and Crafts, Manners, Computers and Technology, Literature and Language, Music and Movement, Sports and Games, Cooking and Drama are brought to life. Tour The Goddard Summer Program now.

• Amazing Animals: March into summer with an animal parade, an arctic adventure, and farm and forest visits.

• Hooray for the USA: Your child will learn about the great United States.

•Leap into Literature: Seven children's book authors are featured, with each 'chapter' exploring several books in fun new ways.

• Let's Go Exploring: From the bright lights of the big city to sandy beaches, your child investigates all sorts of phenomena.

• Mysterious Minds: Our adventures in science start with a "Blast-off to Summer."

• Passport Around the World: Learn about Italy, Israel, Australia, Mexico, the South Pole, South Africa and India.

• The Great Outdoors: We provides an authentic "summer camp" experience.

• Time Travel Your child takes a trip through time with stops in various periods.

Click here to see Goddard's Summer Program

Get Your Green On

Everyone loves to pretend their Irish for a day and celebrate St. Patrick’s day. Here are a few fun ideas to celebrate with you kids.

Gold Coins

Have a scavenger hunt and have the kids collect gold coins you have hidden around the house.

“Lucky” the Leprechaun

Lucky visits kid’s bedrooms while they are sleeping at night and creates a little mischief. He messes things up, take clothes out of closest and puts them on the ground. He also has a tendency to rearrange stuffed animals. Your kids will have a lot of fun trying figure out what “Lucky” did.

Find the Pot of Gold

Older kids can have a lot of fun looking for a hidden pot of gold (candy or other treat) in your house. Leave clues for your children to find the pot of gold. Make it a neighborhood activity by hiding the pot of gold in your yard.

Green Milk

Add some green food coloring to your child’s milk to get in the spirit. You can also get mint chocolate chip ice cream and make a milkshake for a sweet treat.

Moody Toddlers

Many parents get frustrated and concerned about their toddlers mood swings. In most cases a toddlers mood swings are normal. There are many causes or mood swings in toddlers but here are a few causes and some tips on how to deal with them.

· Inability to communicate feelings or wants and needs. It’s very frustrating for your toddler to be so limited by their vocabulary and understanding. Until your toddler develops their vocabulary expect that they will be emotional as they try to communicate.

What you can do: Tell your child to take their time when trying to express themselves. Give them enough time to get their point across. If they still can’t get their point across, give them hints to help them along. However, try not to speak for your child as this can lead to confidence issues with communication later on.

· Testing boundaries – Your toddler is experiencing more independence than they ever had before. It’s natural for them to begin to test the rules you have set for them. This may manifest in your child saying “no they don’t want to go to school” or “no they don’t want to go to bed”.

What you can do: It’s important to reinforce the rules. Toddlers need stability in their lives. It might seem like the easier road to give in to your toddler to avoid an emotional outburst but this could lead to more moodiness and behavior problems later. This defiance might just be your toddlers attempt to understand rules. Try explaining the reasoning behind each rule. That may be all they need.

· New feelings – With new experiences (like school) comes new feeling for your toddler. Feelings like fear of separation are new for toddlers. This could lead to moodiness.

What you can do: Reinforce to your child that you will always be there for them. Try to explain that change is a natural part of life. Give your toddler more attention during times of change.

Moodiness is normal for toddlers but if you have any question about what’s normal and what’s not, see a qualified healthcare professional.

Play-Based Education Drives More Effective, Well-rounded Learning; Effects Seen by 4th Grade

by Sue Adair

Leading preschool chain shares the power of playful learning with children around the nation

Over the last two decades, children have lost eight hours of unstructured playtime in their week. Since 2002, 34% of kindergartens have eliminated recess. This trend of cutting back on playtime may have more negative effects than most parents are aware of. Although the debate on whether rigorous academic learning or play-based learning is more effective rages on, recent studies have shown playful learning has many positive, lasting effects unmatched by academic-based learning.

“When compared to academically-based preschool programs, children in play-based programs outperform the other group socially and academically by the time they reach the fourth grade,” said Kyle D. Pruett M.D., a child psychiatrist, published author, and advisor to The Goddard School®.

In a study conducted by psychologist Rebecca Maron of the University of North Florida, 1,200 toddlers and preschoolers were followed to measure the long-term academic effects of play-based learning vs. academic-based learning. The results strongly show the play-based learners outperforming the academic group both socially and academically by 4th grade. These findings support the claim that play-based learning increases a child’s ability to both learn abstract concepts and interact with peers.

Supported by a growing body of research from Play for Tomorrow, the consortium behind the respected “playful learning” movement, The Goddard School believes in and supports the power of play for learning and has incorporated the concept into their proprietary FLEX™ Learning Program. Playful learning is not a new concept at The Goddard School. It has been at the heart of their curriculum from the beginning, reflected in an approach to learning that presents new skills to children in a playful and engaging way.

Research has shown many lifelong benefits of learning through play, including an increased ability to learn from mistakes, develop independent decision making and fine-tuning of children’s physical development and perceptual motor skills.

“Young children who learn through play are more capable of making their own decisions, advocating for themselves and using creativity to solve problems as they grow. Play is essential to the development of your child’s brain, triggering trillions of neural connections that form the basis of healthy cognitive function and mastery of your child’s physical world,” says Dr. Pruett.

To further support these learning techniques, The Goddard School has launched a system-wide initiative, the Goddard Community Games event, on February 5. During the event, families in schools across the country will have the opportunity to enjoy a “hands-on” playful learning experience with a variety of programs, ranging from Sign Language, Yoga and Nutrition to World Cultures Voyages, Everyday Math and “Rock ‘n’ Tot” pre-dance and creative movement. The focus will be on fun, as parents and their children share in a day of discovery and enrichment.

“The children attending The Goddard School today are the leaders of tomorrow,” says Sue Adair, Director of Education at Goddard Systems, Inc., franchisor of The Goddard School. “Our teachers nurture each child’s self confidence and foster their lifelong love of learning by incorporating teacher-planned and child-directed learning activities into each day. When children enjoy learning, they take away not only knowledge of the task or concept but a sense of personal accomplishment that prepares them for a successful journey through life.”

Source: http://blogs.goddardsystems.com/blog/2011/02/01/play-based-education-drives-more-effective-well-rounded-learning-effects-seen-by-4th-grade/

Keeping the Attention of a Preschoolers

The most difficult thing a parent will ever have to do is to try to keep the wandering mind of a preschooler occupied. They have such a short attention span that you need to have a library of games, activities and events to entertain them. Since a bored preschooler can only lead to no good, here are some simple activities that you might want to keep in mind.

Outdoors

In the winter time it’s sometimes difficult to have your child play outside. However, every once in a while the temperature moderates and that is the time to head out for a walk. It is true what they say about the fresh air, it can really wear kids out. Of course, don’t forget to bundle up. And if it is too cold, head to the mall and do some window shopping.

Arts and Crafts

If you can’t get out of the house, try a craft activity. Craft stores have made it easy, even if you’re not a crafty person. Packaged craft-in-a-box activities are very popular with kids. They include making beaded jewelry, bookmarks, birdhouses and more.

Indoor Play Centers

The Y, gymnastics centers, indoor play centers, mommy and me classes, activities of all types to fit all budgets are going on right now in your community. Look in your local paper, check online and check with your local library or community center for more information on how you can get involved

Why Read To Babies

New moms often are told that they should read to babies, even if they are less than six months old. But if they can’t understand what you’re reading, how does it help your baby? Here are some ways reading to your baby can be beneficial.

• It gradually introduces concepts such as stories, numbers, letters, colors, and shapes that are critical for your child’s development.

• Your baby might not understand but by reading to them you are teaching them to listen.

• Reading can also teach your baby the concept of communication through using sounds before they can speak.

Here are some tips on what types of books work best based on your baby’s age.

• Newborns – books with bright colors and shapes

• 4 and 6 months – books made of cloth and soft materials they can grab onto

• 6 and 12 months – the more pictures the better, your baby is starting to focus

You can’t read too much to your baby so go crazy. Take every opportunity to pull out a book, at the doctor’s office, at the market and in the mall. This will keep your child’s attention and teach them that reading is fun anywhere and anytime. Teach your kids good reading habits and they will keep them for life.

The Importance of Sleep In School

According to the National Sleep Foundation, children ages 5 to 12 need 10 to 11 hours of sleep a night. Studies show that most kids are getting about an hour less sleep each night than they did 30 years ago.

Children have a lot more distractions than they did 30 years ago including extracurricular activities, more homework and video games. It’s easy to understand how today’s kids have a hard time winding down at night. You might be wondering if your child is getting enough sleep. Well, here are some signs that they might need more:

• Behavior Changes – when your child doesn’t get enough sleep it can become difficult for them to control their emotions. This can result in emotional outburst, grumpiness and poor behavior.
  

• Attention Issues – if your child is normally a good listener but they begin having difficulty following detailed instructions or maintaining focus during activities this could be a sign of a lack of sleep.

• Memory Loss – sleep is like a rest button for your child. During sleep, everything learned during the day is committed to memory and the brain is readied to absorb more information the next day. If your child shows a change in remembering directions or information this could be a sign of not getting enough sleep.

What can you do to help your child get enough sleep?

• We have said it before and here it is again, establish a bedtime routine for your child and stick to it. Make sure your child get’s to bed around the same time every night.

• Give your child time to unwind. Turn off the TV, video games and eliminate distractions 15 to 20 minutes before bedtime.

Source: www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/children-and-sleep

Learning to Write

It’s no secret that it talks children some time to learn how to write. Writing is a complex task that involves the development of motor skills and critical thinking. It’s also a skill that develops through building on skills one at a time.

The first stage involves young children scribbling on paper with crayon. This activity leads to the creation of pictures. The pictures are then used by your child to express emotions or events that occurred during their day. Writing takes further shape when your preschooler learns the alphabet and how to spell their name. Once your child reaches elementary school it’s like a whirlwind. Letters form words then sentences and then stories.

Here are a few tips to guide you through learning to write.

• Have paper and big easy-to-grasp crayons available to your child. Tell them to scribble and have fun writing as much as they want.

• Don’t be that concerned if when you child starts writing letters, they are all over the paper. Children learn individual letters first and it takes some time for them to grasp the concept of words.

• Don’t be that concerned if your child spells words without vowels. As kids enter school they are taught the concept of vowels, proper spelling and the difference between upper and lower case letters. The concepts really begin to develop as a child learns to read.

• Don’t expect handwriting to be neat initially. Motor skill need time to develop.

Of course if your child’s writing and reading skills seems to be lagging other children, consult your child’s teacher. If your child has a learning problem early intervention can really help.

Errands Survival Guide

Between work, kids and school it’s hard to get errands done and even harder when your kids are whining, crying, and throwing temper tantrums in the process. Here are a few tips to take the some of the stress out when running errands with kids.

· Explain the game plan – tell the kids exactly where you’re going on your errands and how long it should take.

· Set the rules - what is an is not acceptable behavior and that your shopping for others not for them. This will help to alleviate the “mommy or daddy can I get” questions.

· Tell them what’s expected - no running, inside voice, stay with the parents.

· Review car etiquette – no yelling in the car, buckle your seat belt, no throwing anything in the car.

· Keep your kids busy – play I spy when you are going through the store. Let them help push the cart. Have them help you find items you are looking for like a scavenger hunt. Sing some songs if your car ride is longer than expected or you are stuck in traffic.

· Give time off for good behavior – reward your children with a play date or something they like to do if they are good during errands. Just make sure your not bribing them but rewarding them to reinforce proper behavior.



With these tips you might get done all of your errands and actually get some time for yourself.

Talking With Teachers

Open communication with teachers is an important guiding principal at the Goddard School. With the new school year under way, you might be wondering how to best communicate with their child’s teachers to keep the lines of communication open so everyone has a wonderful school year. Here are a few tips to cultivate a strong relationship with your child’s teacher:

• Take time to touch base with your child’s teacher on a regular basis. Find time before and after school to have quick conversations about your child. These quick conversations can be a great supplement to parent/teacher conferences. But be conscious not to cut into your teachers daily planning and preparation time.

• Spend time in your child’s classroom if possible. Many schools advocate parent participation through reading to children and helping out during class activities. Not only does this help your teacher out, it is a great way to experience how your child and teacher interact.

• If your child’s teacher comes to you with a problem or if you have to address a concern with your child’s teacher, try the following:

o Listen to the teachers point of view
o Express your concerns calmly and productively
o Avoid assigning blame
o Collaborate to determine the proper solution to the problem

It is important that you and your child’s teacher work as a team. Working as a team offers consistency at home and at school and results in stronger, quicker solutions.

The main thing to remember is that working together to find out the best way to help your child will help to foster a positive and nurturing learning environment and set the stage for a great school year.

Ditching the Binky

Last week we talked about helping your child to thumb sucking their thumb. This week we are going to talk about the Binky, paci or pacifier depending on what your family calls it. Just like thumb sucking, a pacifier helps babies find comfort. And just like thumb sucking, most kids will give up their binky’s on their own between the ages of 2 and 4.

But if your child is a little

Pop It
I wish I would have figured this out with my own children, But several pinholes in the pacifier. If your child can’t get suction on the binky, in many cases they will not be interested in it anymore. This can be a very successful way to break this habit.

The Binky Fairy or Other Helper
• Like the tooth fairy. Have your child put them under the pillow and replace them with some coins. In the morning you might have smiles instead of tears.
• Agree to give the binkys away to a new baby - Mail the binkys back to binky land or drop the binkys off at the doctors office

The Power of Positive Thinking
• Give lots of encouragement when the child puts down the Binky
• Reinforce the days a Binky isn’t use with small toys, or activities your child likes
• Make your child feel like a big girl or boy whenever the binky isn’t used
• Set a goal of being Binky free and stick to it

Breaking the Binky habit may be sad event at first but your child will soon realize that being Binky free is just part of growing up.

Sources:http://www.everydayhealth.com
http://www.associatedcontent.com/

Keeping your Kids Safe in the Heat

With the record breaking temperature we have had this summer, you should be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion. Since children are still developing, their bodies aren't able to adapt to temperature changes the way adults do. Listed below are a few signs of heat distress and heat exhaustion. This is not a comprehensive list. If you suspect your child is having difficulty with the heat, call your doctor immediately.

These are signs that your child should take a break, cool their body down, hydrate and get out of the heat:

• Sweating heavily
• Has a bright red face
• Extremely thirsty
• Feels hot to your touch
• Breathing hard
• Heavy sweating

Pay special attention during super-humid days (when sweat doesn't cool the body down the way it does in drier weather) or during a heat wave.

These are more serious signs that could lead to heat exhaustion:
• Has extreme fatigue that forces them to sit down
• Feels weak
• Feel dizzy
• Fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• A bad headache

If you notice your child is showing any of these symptoms, get them out of the hot weather right away and seek the appropriate medical care.


Sources:http://www.ccf.wa.gov/
http://www.parenting.com/

Perks of daycare

Parents often feel guilty when they drop their child off at daycare. But here are some reasons you may not have thought of to feel good about your choice:

Long-Term Health Benefits - Some may argue that your child will have more sniffles than the average stay-at-home child. You may have heard that children who attend daycare are exposed to illness more frequently which serves to boost their immune system. Some research indicates that this boost to the immune system can help reduce the affects of allergies, asthma, and even some life threatening diseases.

Better Prepared for School – Your child benefits from a strong curriculum at Goddard that teaches the basics such as the alphabet and numbers, and vocabulary. By the time school starts your child has had exposure to the concept of learning environment. They understand what is expected of them when they go to kindergarten. This can provide a valuable head start that other children may not be getting.

A Social Network – Since your child has an established group of friends from daycare who will be joining them in Kindergarten the first day of school might not be as scary. You and your child have a connection to the other parents and children through your daycare experience. In addition skills like cooperation and making friends may be more advanced as a result of the daycare experience.

Sources:

http://www.parenting.com/

http://www.selfgrowth.com/