Public Service Announcements
June 2003
CHILD CARE TIPS FOR PARENTS
PSA #1 - Parents, does your child’s
caregiver offer more outside activities when the weather is warmer? There
are many ways to set up an outdoor classroom. Art activities can be expanded
outdoors. A reading corner can be in a shady spot. Meals and snacks can
be picnics. There’s more space for circle games and marching bands.
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 - One way to expand learning at child
care is for the children to have chances to explore and observe nature
while being outdoors. They can watch birds, bugs, animals, and see how
plants grow. They can look for changes in trees and bushes from spring
to summer to fall.
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 - When children play outdoors on
a hot day at childcare, water play is a fun way to cool off. This can
be at a water table or with some plastic tubs for pouring, floating, and
splashing activities. Lawn sprinklers are fun for children to run through
and are safer than wading pools or swimming pools. Children must be closely
supervised during any type of water play.
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 -Outdoor times
need to be safe for children at child care. Parents, be sure there are
enough adults to supervise the children, the outdoor play area is inspected
and cleaned up each day, sand boxes are covered when not being used, and
play equipment is checked for broken parts and sharp edges daily.
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 -When they are playing outdoors,
children need shady places to get out of the sun every 15 minutes on a
hot day. There should be drinking water where they can reach it. Sliding
boards and other play equipment with metal parts need to be in a shady
area at your child’s child care program. Parents, you need to send
sun screen for your child with signed permission for the caregiver to
use it on your child.
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 - The Penn State Cooperative Extension
Better Kid Care Program Web site offers information on many children’s
issues. If you are a parent looking for child care tips or activity ideas
or a child care provider looking for training or child care resources,
go to
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
There are newsletters, phone numbers for county extension offices, and
links to other Web sites include the PA Department of Public Welfare child
care site at
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
June 2003
