May 2003
Hello Newsletter Subscribers!
Welcome to this month's issue of the Better Kid Care E-Newsletter.
IT ISN'T JUST CHILD'S PLAY
Nancy Wilson
Better Kid Care Staff
How many times have you heard someone refer to children's activities as "that's just child's play"? Remarks like that seem to minimize the importance of what children do. Play is important for children because when they play they are growing and learning. They learn how things work and gain new ideas. They learn new words and problem solving skills. Children learn how to get along with others through play. They can use their imaginations when pretending during dramatic play times.
A good child care program will provide opportunities for different kinds of play. Children need time for vigorous play, alternating with time for quiet activities. They need to play in small and large groups, with the option to play alone at times. Free play, with choices that challenge various skills, helps children learn. Children should be free to choose how to play with something, as long as it is safe. Caregivers should allow enough time for children to complete activities, knowing when to wrap things up before the children get bored.. A two-to five-minute warning before play must end is helpful for children so they can complete what they are doing.
A variety of toys and materials should be available and accessible to the children in an environment that is safe. Play needs to be scheduled when the children are not tired, hungry, or hurried. Parents, make sure that your child has the right kinds of activities in the child care program you have selected.
May Satellite Broadcast
Our last satellite broadcast of the season is scheduled for May 9, 2003.
The title is "Active Times - Quiet Times: Making Transitions Easier."
The program will air from 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., EST. During the broadcast
there will be a live question-and-answer segment when you can call in
or fax your questions. For the phone number for the question-and-answer
segment, as well as more information about the broadcast, visit our Web
site:
http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/livesat.html
For more information about all of our satellite broadcasts, visit this
Web page:
http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/page05.html
Many County Extension Offices in Pennsylvania provide a time and location
for attending the satellite workshops. Check with your local County Extension
Office for times, dates, and locations.
http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/page02f.html
Satellite broadcasts are also streamed live over the Web the night (or
day) of the broadcast. You will need to have at least a 56k connection
and RealPlayer to be able to watch the programs on your computer.
http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/livesat.html
If you missed one of the broadcasts, you can see an archived copy at
our Web site. You will need to have at least a 56K connection and RealPlayer
to be able to watch the programs on your computer.
http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/page05b.html
Satellite dish owners can find coordinate information at this Web page:
http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/page02e.html
Two New One-Hour Lessons Posted
Working with a child's parents is not always easy. Good communications
skills can help you get along better with parents. Want to know more?
Check out this new unit: How to Get through to Parents.
http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/AngelUnits/OneHour/CommunicatingParents/ParentsMaterials.html
Learn more about three-year-olds in the new unit: Through the
Eyes of a Three-Year-Old.
http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/AngelUnits/OneHour/EyesofThrees/Materials.html
Better Kid Care Kit
Are you a resident of Pennsylvania? Do you provide care for children in your home? Have you signed up to receive a Better Kid Care Kit yet? Complete our on-line registration form, or call our office (1-800-452-9108) to sign up today!
Not a resident of Pennsylvania? No problem! All of the materials available
in our Kit are also available at our Web site for you to view on your
computer and print for yourself.
http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/page02b.html
Ask the Experts
Do you have a question you would like to ask a child care professional about a child you are caring for, or about something related to caring for children? You can e-mail your questions to betterkidcare@psu.edu and receive an answer by return e-mail from one of our child care professionals.
Announcements Page
Stay up-to-date with everything that's happening at Better Kid Care by
visiting the Announcements Page at our Web site. Announcements are posted
and updated regularly.
http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/page06b.html
Would you or someone you know like to receive this newsletter?
New subscribers can join and have this newsletter delivered to their
e-mail mailbox by sending mail to
BetterKidCareNews-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu.
No subject or message text is required. The system picks up the name and
address from the e-mail headers.