Public Service Announcements
July 2005
CHILD CARE TIPS FOR PARENTS
PSA #1 - Parents, if you have an active toddler and are looking for child care, find a caregiver who is patient and flexible. See if the place has large areas for active play, indoors and out. Toddlers need more space for play than older children as they explore new things and learn new skills.
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 - Toddlers need child care providers who understand child development. Close supervision is needed to keep a toddler safe as she tries to do things herself. The caregiver should model correct behavior to help a young child learn.
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 - Well-trained caregivers know that toddlers are possessive and cannot share. They provide duplicate or similar toys for play. The caregiver will understand that a toddler’s one or two word phrase can mean a whole sentence.
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 -Toddlers need to keep busy. They are eager to explore and learn. Make sure your toddler’s child care program has lots of learning materials for him to roll, pick up, squeeze, pound, push, pull, etc. These do not have to be expensive educational toys. They can be simple household items.
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 - Toddlers in child care need chances to explore art materials. Daily time for stories and looking at books is also important. Toddlers love to play in sand, mud, and water. Singing and finger play activities are favorites. Young children need space to run, climb, and jump.
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 Better Kid Care Web site is adding more valuable information all the time. There is a new E-Newsletter and ways for caregivers to earn training hours on-line. Look for activity ideas and recipes for nutritious snacks. Links to other Web sites are available. Go to
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu to see what is available about children and child care.
Also, contact the PA Department of Public Welfare Web site for other information on children’s issues. The site can be found at
www.dpw.state.pa.us/Child/.
Nancy Wilson, Better Kid Care Program Specialist
Penn State Better Kid Care Program
253 Easterly Parkway
State College, PA 16801
email:
naw6@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-5880
Fax: 814-865-7893
