June 2004
Safe Summer Fun
Children spend more time outdoors during the summer months. It's up to parents and caregivers to keep children safe at home and at child care. Here are some safety tips:
- Children should wear helmets and protective pads while riding bikes, rollerblading, and skateboarding.
- Protect kids from the sun. Provide your child's caregiver with sunscreen for your child with a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher and directions for applying it. Make sure there are shady areas for outdoor play.
- Supervise children closely in or near water. For children age 4 and under, an adult needs to be no further than an arm's length away to supervise at all times.
- Give children safety reminders regularly around play equipment. This includes swings, slides, and climbing activities.
- Keep children away from lawn mowers. They should never ride on riding mowers!
- Reduce bee and insect stings by having children wear light-colored clothing and shoes. Never use insect repellent on infants. Use sparingly on older children.
- Children must use seat belts and approved car seats when riding in vehicles.
- Remember to keep kids away from hot grills and barbecues.
- Remind children not to pick or eat plants and berries without checking with an adult.
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
Communicating With Kids
Good communication helps children learn and promotes good behavior. It is important for parents and child care providers to take time to listen to children. Some ways to communicate well with children are:
- Greet each child with a smile every day.
- Be at eye level and look at a child when talking together.
- Be a good listener.
- Take time to explain things.
- To prepare a child for changes in routines or activities, talk about what is going to happen next.
- Encourage a child to talk about what she is doing.
- Praise children when they do something right.
- Always answer a child's questions.
- Share humor and laugh with children.
- While reading a story, ask the children what they think is going to happen next.
- Have children tell you a story. Write it down and read it back to them.
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
