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Welcome to this month's issue of the Better Kid Care E-Newsletter - A newsletter for those caring for children.
Notable Quote: "Why do so many Americans want their children to watch less TV, yet continue to expand the opportunities for them to watch it? More important, why do so many people no longer consider the physical world worth watching?" ~ Richard Louv
Faux Glass Leaf Collage
Collect several different types of leaves while on walks with children. Place between newspaper and press by placing something heavy on top, such as books. It takes a week or more to properly press the leaves flat. Cut contact paper into desired lengths, one for each child or extra large lengths for a group (be sure the length fits the window you wish to display them in). Carefully peel off the backing and place the sticky side of the contact paper UP on a clean surface or table. Children can creatively place leaves onto sticky contact paper any way they wish; leave some empty sticky space to act as an adhesive to the window (we try to leave the edges clear). We also show our children how to gently tap the leaf onto the contact paper so as not to crumple the paper. Carefully stick the collage onto desired window. The contact paper does not seem to leave any residue. Faux leaf collages are beautiful to look at and last a very long time; we have one left on a window from six years ago! -- Contributed by Anonymous Child Care Provider
Where do you find the best ideas on caring for children? From early educators and practitioners, of course! Do you have a great tip or good thing? Send us your best tips in writing and your tip may end up in our newsletter! If your tip is chosen for the newsletter, you will receive a little something from the Better Kid Care Program. Mail tips with your return address, place of work, and the number and ages of those you care for to: Better Kid Care Program, c/o Christine Belinda, 253 Easterly Parkway, State College, PA 16801or E-mail crb16@psu.edu
by Christine Belinda
If we pick up a recent newspaper or read an early childhood periodical, most likely we will read about obesity, diabetes, and overweight children. The research is in: The percentage of children in this country who are overweight has doubled in the last ten years, childhood obesity is a national problem, and diabetes is diagnosed in children at an alarming rate. A component often associated with these topics is television. As early educators, what do we need to know about television and how does it affect our work with young children?
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry states, "Time spent watching television takes away from important activities such as reading, school work, playing, exercise, family interaction, and social development. Children also learn information from television that may be inappropriate or incorrect. They often cannot tell the difference between the fantasies presented on television versus reality. They are influenced by the thousands of commercials seen each year, many of which are for alcohol, junk food, fast foods, and toys."
Health warnings
Health-related researchers are warning of the negative affects of television. Children who watch a lot of TV and movies tend to be overweight. Watching TV may encourage excessive snacking and portray unhealthy food choices, violence, and inappropriate information. Equally important is that fact that while watching TV, children are just sitting. This lack of physical exercise is strongly correlated to too much time spent on electronics, TV being a strong forerunner.
Without proper amounts of time for physical exercise, children cannot stay healthy. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports shows two-thirds of American children can’t pass a basic physical: 40 percent of boys and 70 percent of girls age six to seventeen can’t manage more than one pull-up, and 40 percent show early signs of heart and circulation problems.
TV viewing affects food intake
A recent Penn State study conducted by Dr. Lori Francis shows that "TV viewing can either increase or decrease preschool children’s food intakes and suggests that when children consistently view TV during meals, TV viewing may distract children from normal fullness cues, which can lead to overeating in children as it may in adults."
Children need adults to be active participants at meal times. As well as provide nutritious foods, adults can guide conversations and even discuss issues of how full or hungry we feel.
When children need to self-regulate, or learn ways to care for themselves, TV may cause interference. Consider rest and nap time. When children are presented with a movie or TV show, they can miss cues from their own body. Instead, they are focused on the issue or action in the show, as opposed to their own self-regulating mechanisms. They tune out instead of tuning in to their body's signals.Bullying?
We have all seen children imitating and role playing. Most role play is positive and explores social and emotional implications young children need. What about young children who repeatedly view violent screen time? Does this viewing time factor into real life behavior? Some researchers believe, without emotional and cognitive support from families, a child who spends a large amount of time watching television or other screen opportunities, may display more bullying behaviors and continue to develop them in later years.
We know children learn much through modeling and imitation. As adults caring for children, our goal is to instill appropriate forms of expression, play, and ways to solve problems. Television and video often model inappropriate forms of these.
Should we watch TV in child care?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no electronic screens or television watching for children under the age of two. The AAP also states that children need active play to promote their developmental, physical, and social skills. Two hours of quality television programming per day is the maximum recommendation for children over two years of age.
Families look to their early care givers and practitioners to be knowledgeable on issues affecting young children. Therefore, our role regarding television and children is to inform families of what we have learned about television and to present only positive, appropriate experiences with television.
Do we know how the family feels about children watching television? Are our families informed of the research on TV and children? Making the decision to watch TV in child care should be based on research, the development and age of each child, and the opinions of the family and early educator.
Research shows overwhelming evidence of TV’s harmful affects to children’s health and well-being. Our goal is to provide optimal care for our children. We have learned that children develop best with positive interactions with others and by exploring their environments; TV does not offer such interactions. In most instances where television is used, there is a more viable choice, especially in child care.
Resources:
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, “Children and Watching TV”, March 2001
American Academy of Pediatrics, Children’s Health Topics: Media Use
Penn State Extension, Linking Research to Family and Youth Programs; Dr. Lori Francis, “TV Viewing During Lunch Affects Preschool Children’s Intake” April 1, 2006
The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Learn Lots on Your Time
Enjoy the following highlights from one of the many Better Kid Care Distance Education Lessons. Participate in Distance Education training in the convenience of your home.
Better Kid Care Distance Education Program awards:
PA Department of Public Welfare required hours
Click on links for more information
Have you ever wondered if it is a good idea to include television watching in your child care program? The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have published recommendations for young children and television watching. This unit contains information and recommendations to help you decide how to use television in your child care program.
Research on early development shows that what babies and toddlers need most is time with the adults who take care of them: cuddling, reading books, and playing games like peek-a-boo. Toddlers need these things for healthy brain growth and developing social, emotional, and thinking skills. And these things don't happen when babies and toddlers are watching television.
There are some good things children can learn from watching television. There are also things on television that are harmful for children to watch. Is it okay for toddlers to watch television? What about violence on television? To learn more information on how to use television in child care, visit the distance education lesson Children and Television.
To view a complete listing of all distance education lessons and additional information and resources, visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
Questions or concerns about Distance Education? Contact Patty Wells at plw8@psu.edu or phone (814) 865-9837.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing a warning about the dangers of televisions and heavy furniture tipping over and killing young children. The number of TV tip-over deaths reported to CPSC during the first seven months of 2006 is twice the typical yearly average. There are usually five deaths reported to CPSC each year caused by televisions tipping over onto young children, but we are aware of ten deaths already this year. There are also at least 3,000 injuries involving children and TV tip-overs each year. These deaths and injuries frequently occur when children climb onto, fall against, or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, and chests. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries.
To help prevent tip-over hazards, CPSC offers the following safety tips:
Download CPSC’s new safety alert, “Preventing TV and Furniture Tip-over Deaths,” (also available in Spanish).
The annual Children's Environmental Health Report highlights the EPA's recent efforts to protect the health of children by addressing threats in the environments where they develop, grow, and thrive. Improving school environments, addressing indoor and outdoor air quality, and reducing exposures to chemicals and pesticides are a few of the activities described in the report, "Children's Environmental Health: 2006 Report; Environment, Health, and a Focus on Children."
Turn the Page Reading aloud with children is a wonderful activity. Children of all ages love to be read to. Support the love of reading for children in your care by trying the following books:
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, by Lois Ehlert, published by Harcourt Children’s Books, ISBN 0152661972. The author uses watercolor and collage to share fascinating evolutions and even planting tips for a sugar maple tree. Youngsters will relate to the vivid details and enjoy the interesting facts.
Leaf Jumpers, by Carole Gerber, published by Charlesbridge Publishing, ISBN 1570914974. Hand-colored linoleum prints tell the story of a brother and sister with the family dog enjoying autumn activities, such as raking a pile of leaves and jumping in!
Fall Leaves Fall!, by Zoe Hall, published by Scholastic Press, ISBN 0590100793. This story tells of the many wonderful adventures to be had simply by experiencing autumn: watching leaves fall to the ground, catching leaves, collecting leaves, comparing shapes, and raking and jumping into a pile.
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, by Julia Rawlinson, published by Greenwillow, ISNB0061134015. Fletcher, a young fox, is worried about his favorite tree. Is it sick? Its leaves are turning brown and its bark is dropping. Read to find out how Fletcher tries to help his tree by sticking the leaves back on and how he discovers the marvelous, beautiful mysteries of his favorite tree.
More Autumn Stories:
Autumn (board book), by Gerda Muller, published by Floris Books, ISBN 0863151914
I Know It’s Autumn, by Eileen Spenelli, published by HarperCollings, ISBN 0060294221Why Do Leaves Change Color?by Betsy Maestro, published by HarperTrophy, ISBN 00644511267
Contact your local children's library or your local Penn State Cooperative Extension office to find out about more books on making friends and child care. Reading with children creates lifelong readers. Enjoy your time reading with children!
Interested in professional development opportunities? Take a look at the following professional development training available for early childhood practitioners:
Pennsylvania Home Child Care Providers Association (PHCCPA) 26th Annual Conference, co-sponsored by the Northwest Regional Key: October 13-15, 2006, Erie , PA. Contact 800-294-3324.
Lancaster Early Childhood Conference 2006, October 14, 2006 contact 717-653-3000 ext. 3004
Pennsylvania Child Care Association: Continuing Our Journey toward Excellence and Professionalism, October 19-20, 2006. Visit www.pacca.org for more information or call 717-657-9000
All Day Child Care Provider Conference in Lewisburg, PA, October 21, 2006 717-524-8721, Penn State Coop. Ext.- Northumberland
Fall Professional Development Conference for Child Care Practitioners, October 28, 2006 Penn State Coop. Ext. Erie, PA 814-825-0900
Family, Group, and Centers: A Professional Development Event for All Practitioners, October 28, 2006, Penn State Coop. Ext. Delaware, Morton, PA contact 610-690-2655
Child Care Conference, November 4, 2006 Penn State Coop. Ext. Carbon, Jim Thorpe, PA, Contact 570-325-2788
National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Atlanta , Georgia , November 8-11, 2006. Visit www.naeyc.org
42nd Annual PAEYC Conference (Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children), December 2, 2006 Visit www.pghaeyc.org or call 412-421-3889
National Head Start Association 23rd Annual Parent Training Conference, December 15-19, 2006 in New York , New York . Visit www.nhsa.org or contact 703-739-0878
For more professional development opportunities, visit the PA Keys online calendar.
Send Us Your Questions - Do you have a question on any of the satellite workshop topics listed below? Send them to us! If your question is chosen to be read and answered during a satellite broadcast, you will receive a gift certificate to Redleaf Press. Submit questions two weeks prior to the satellite broadcast date via e-mail (enter Subject Line: Satellite Question), fax 814-865-7893 or mail directly to Better Kid Care, 253 Easterly Parkway, State College, PA 16801.
October 26, 2006
Fighting Children's Obesity Through Active Play
K2C2 - Topic Code 15 / CDA 2
The percentage of children in this country who are overweight has doubled in the last ten years. Keeping children active is one way to help fight childhood obesity. How much active play time do children need each day? Learn great active play ideas for keeping children moving indoors and out.
December 7, 2006
Obese Kids: They are what they eat
K7C2 - Topic Code 79 / CDA 1
Childhood obesity is a national problem. What children eat is critical to their health. It doesn't matter if you care for children in a center or a home, every adult who works with young children needs to be aware of what children are eating. This workshop will have lots of ideas to get children to eat healthy snacks and lunches and tips to share with parents.
The Penn State Better Kid Care Program has developed a new and exciting season of interesting, helpful satellite topics for the 2006-2007. Join with other early childhood practitioners in experiencing satellite workshops, offered in Pennsylvania and across the United States. To participate in these workshops, visit the Satellite Workshop link
Are you looking for articles to share with your families? Do you need information for your parent/family bulletin board? Family Time / Work Time shares easy-to-read articles for busy parents and caretakers with a focus on Building Strong Families.
You are welcome to print and share these publications with your friends, family, and other child care providers.
Enjoy the following from Family Time / Work Time: April 2003
Who Controls the Television?
By Nancy Wilson
Parents, who controls the television at your house? Do you think about what you want your child to watch? There are good programs for chidlren, but many that are not.
Think about the number of hours per day your child watches television. Some experts say two hours a day are enough. It's up to you to decide what is best for your child. Keep in mind that children need to be active to build new skills and to be healthy.
Click on graphic to read entire publication
Providers in the CDA (Child Development Associate) Program
Although Better Kid Care does not offer a CDA program at this time, we offer professional development training accepted by the Council for Professional Recognition to meet the 120 hours of formal early childhood education required to obtain a CDA credential. These one- and two-hour distance education lessons are coded and categorized for CDA. To view a complete listing, please visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
For information on the CDA credential visit the Better Kid Care Child Development Associate link or contact Christine at 814-865-7894 / email: crb16@psu.edu.
Do you have questions about caring for other people's children, such as:
Call the Better Kid Care Mentoring Line at 800-859-8340 or e-mail your questions to betterkidcare@psu.edu for information about child care and children's issues.
Better Kid Care Kit - Need ideas in your work caring for children? When you enroll in the Better Kid Care Program and sign up for the Better Kid Care Kit, family child care providers will receive several free publications in the mail. Family home child care providers will also receive The Basics of Caring for Children in your Home notebook to organize and store your Better Kid Care publications. Have you signed up to receive a Better Kid Care Kit yet? Complete our online registration form or call 800-452-9108 to order.
Notebook Contains: Tip Sheets, Activities Pages & Lunch and Snack Ideas
All publications are available online to print and share with your friends, family, and other childcare providers. Select issues are also available in Spanish.
New Staff Orientation curriculum is available to child care centers in Pennsylvania. This curriculum is specifically designed for new staff members in child care centers. Included are a thirty-page workbook and thirty units on seven videotapes. The easy-to-understand information is reinforced with activities and assignments. Units are designed to be used during nap time or other small blocks of time as staff/child ratios permit. Meets the Keystone STARS Performance Standards. Click on the New Staff Orientation link for more information and to view the materials online (also available in Spanish).
Home-Based Caregiver Orientation Meets the Keystone STARS Core Series Training Requirements - This three part series shows how to establish, run and maintain a successful child care business and presents important information about understanding and supporting the developmental needs of each child. Visit: Home-Based Caregiver Orientation to view materials online.
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Upcoming November E-Newsletter:
Look for information on shaping ideas into good play
We would love to hear from you! We want the Better Kid Care E-Newsletter to be informative, useful, and inspiring to you! Please contact the Better Kid Care Program with your ideas. Is there something you want to see more or less of? What information is most important to you? What topics are you interested in? How is the newsletter helpful to you? E-mail your ideas to crb16@psu.edu or call 814-865-7894.