February 2004
Learning Is Easier When Children Are Happy
Children are more eager to learn when they are happy. Understanding, kindness, and love go a long way in helping children grow and learn new skills.
It is important for working parents to find a child care program and caregiver with these features:
- Child care providers who are warm, caring, flexible, energetic, understand child development, and are good role models.
- The children are given choices of appropriate activities throughout the day and help plan their activities.
- Children are shown how to do things rather than just told.
- They are taught how to get along with others.
- The facilities are bright and cheerful with lots of light.
- There are large areas for children to run and play, indoors and out.
- A variety of art materials is provided.
- Books are accessible throughout the day.
- Dramatic play activities are scheduled.
- Children are encouraged to explore and try new things.
The Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program has information on children's issues for early childhood educators, child care providers, and parents on the Better Kid Care Web site at: www.betterkidcare.psu.edu
Teaching Children
Well-trained child care providers know how to help children learn in positive ways. These are some things to look for when searching for the right child care for your child:
- Children are welcomed and greeted with a smile each day.
- The caregiver gets down to the children's eye level when talking with them.
- Children are shown how to do things.
- The children are alerted a few minutes before a change in an activity or routine.
- Caregivers tell children what is happening and take time to talk with them during activities and routines.
- Children are shown how to treat each other.
- Positive discipline is used.
- Children are given choices whenever appropriate.
- Caregivers encourage children to figure out how to do things and resolve conflicts.
The Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program has information on children's issues for early childhood educators, child care providers, and parents on the Better Kid Care Web site at: www.betterkidcare.psu.edu
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Nancy Wilson, Better Kid Care Program Assistant
Penn State Better Kid Care Program
253 Easterly Parkway
State College, PA 16801
e-mail: naw6@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-5880
Fax: 814-865-7893
