Public Service Announcements
December 2002
CHILD CARE TIPS FOR PARENTS
PSA #1 - This time of year we find families
celebrating holidays in a variety of ways. Some celebrations are traditional
for many Americans, while others are unique to a specific culture. Many
child care programs celebrate some holidays with the children. Find out
which ones will be celebrated at your child’s program and what kinds
of activities will take place.
The Penn 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.
PSA #2 - If your family has a different
way of celebrating or different holidays than the ones being focused on
at child care, be sure to let the caregiver know. Be willing to share
information about your family traditions. This can include songs, special
food, and other traditions. Be open to learning about other cultures.
You will teach your child to respect differences in others.
The Penn 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.
PSA #3 - Parents, try to volunteer
to help at your child’s child care when there are special events
or celebrations going on. Children get more excited at these times and
things go smoother when there are extra adults to help.
The Penn 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.
PSA #4 -Holidays
and special celebrations are exciting for kids. There are often extra
activities and things to do. These are fun but can be stressful for children.
Parents and child care providers should try to keep routines as regular
as possible for children. Children should be told ahead of time about
any changes that will occur.
The Penn 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.
PSA #5 -Be sure to allow times for active, physical play to help
children cope with busy holiday times. Children need to get rid of their
energy in positive ways! Be aware that sometimes a young child will regress
in a behavior when under stress. Be sensitive to your child’s mood
and take some time to sit quietly and cuddle if he gets cranky.
The Penn 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.
PSA #6 - Are you a parent looking
for ideas for things to do with your children? Or are you a child care
provider needing to earn some training hours? The Better Kid Care Program,
a Cooperative Extension program at Penn State, has all this and more on
their Web site at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
There are newsletters, Web lessons, information for employers, and links
to other sites. You can access the Pennsylvania DPW Website for other
child care information by going to
www.childcare.state.pa.us.
Nancy Wilson, Better Kid Care Program Specialist
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
December 2002
