July 2005
Child Care for Active Toddlers
Parents, if you have an active toddler, try to find a child care program that will help your child learn in a safe and appropriate way.
A good toddler program will have the following features:
- A warm, loving caregiver who is patient, flexible, and understanding. She will understand child development and have experience working with toddlers.
- Space to run and play – indoors and out. Toddlers need more space for play than older children, as they try new skills and explore the world around them.
- A caregiver who understands that toddlers are just learning to talk and that a one or two word phrase can mean a whole sentence.
- Lots of supervision. Even though toddlers are trying to do things themselves, they need an adult close by at all times to help keep them safe.
- Caregivers who understand that toddlers are possessive and not yet able to share.
- Similar toys or duplicates of toys.
- Caregivers who know that toddler attention spans are short. They will use redirecting or distracting to prevent conflicts.
- Staff who show children the right way to behave.
Caregivers in Pennsylvania can get some new ideas and earn training hours from Penn State Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program by calling 1-800-452-9108.
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
What Do You Do With Toddlers?
Toddlers need to be kept busy. They are eager to explore and learn. A good child care program will have the following:
- Lots of space for running, jumping, and climbing activities.
- Learning materials a toddler can pick up, roll, punch, stack, squeeze, bounce, pound, push, pull, etc. These can be simple household items. They do not have to be expensive educational toys.
- Art materials of all kinds – including paints, crayons, chalk, markers, glue, safety scissors, and paper of various sizes, shapes and types.
- Time and space to use and explore art materials.
- Singing and finger play activities. Toddlers enjoy lots of action and movement.
- Time for reading and looking at books.
- Books and art materials stored where the children can reach them.
- An area and time for playing in water, sand, or mud. Play dough and clay are also fun for toddlers.
- Containers and utensils for mixing, sifting, pouring, stirring, and shaping things.
Tell your child's caregiver about ordering free educational materials from the Penn State Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program. Information and resources are available 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
- # -
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
