May / June 2009

Communicating with Children

Parents, you want it to be a good experience when your child goes to child care. When looking for care, be sure to observe to see how well the caregiver communicates with and relates to the children. This is important. Does the caregiver get down to the children’s level when talking with them? See if she listens patiently when a child is talking with her. For the children who can talk, does she give choices of things to do when it is appropriate? This gives children a sense of being in control.

It’s good when a caregiver talks with the children all day long. Babies and toddlers benefit from hearing language. The caregiver should describe what she is doing during routines and what is going on at child care. Older children benefit from attentive caregivers who explain things for them.

Rules let children know what is expected. The children should be reminded of rules regularly. This is really important before the children go outdoors for activities. Young children often forget, so reminders are important. An experienced, well-trained caregiver will know this. When possible, it’s good for the caregiver to have children help make the child care rules. Children tend to remember rules they helped make.

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.

Working as a Team with Your Child’s Caregiver

Do you know what happens when parents and child care providers work together with the child? The quality of child care gets better! When parents and caregivers work as a team, they talk together regularly to plan what is best for the child. The caregiver learns important things about the child’s life outside of child care that may affect behavior or moods. The parent learns what is happening at child care and ways to help her child’s learning at home. It’s a win-win situation for all! Of course, the child is part of the team, too, because what’s best for the child is what it’s all about.

Here are some things to do to make sure you have good rapport with your child’s caregiver to be able to work together with your child as a team:

Before enrolling your child, carefully read the child care policies and make sure you agree with them. Ask the caregiver to clarify anything you do not understand.
Talk about your thoughts on how children should be taught and how problems should be handled. It is important to agree on this.
Be sure to always read any notes or messages that are sent home.
Send in requested supplies on time. This includes extra clothes, diapers, etc.
Greet the caregiver with a smile each day and ask how she is.
Tell the caregiver anything about your child that could affect how she does at child care that day.
Thank the caregiver for caring for your child. Find out when her birthday is and help your child make a card for her.

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Nancy Wilson, Better Kid Care Program Specialist
Penn State Better Kid Care Program
253 Easterly Parkway
State College, PA 16801
Phone: 814-863-5880
Fax: 814-865-7893
May / June 2009