Public Service Announcements
September 2002
CHILD CARE TIPS FOR PARENTS
PSA #1 - Parents, your child is learning
with each experience as he or she plays each day. How can that be? It
may look like your child is just having fun while playing, but many things
are going on. When looking for child care be sure to find a program that
offers many different types of play activities.
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 - Children use all their senses while
playing to explore everything around them. When children pretend that
a block or stick is a certain thing such as an airplane or a car, they
are using these playthings as symbols. This will later lead to recognizing
letters and learning to read. Children learn math skills while counting,
sorting, and putting things in piles.
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 - Children need to crawl, run, climb,
and jump to build large muscle skills. Activities such as stringing beads,
scribbling, drawing, and cutting with safety scissors help children develop
fine motor skills. Looking around and exploring helps with thinking and
science 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 #4 -Parents,
do you have a child who will be heading off to kindergarten this fall?
If so, it is an exciting time and many things will be changing for your
child and you. Older children need different activities than younger children.
If you will need child care for your kindergartener or older school-age
child, find a program that is age-appropriate.
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 -Older children can do many things
independently, but they still need supervision. They should help plan
the activities when they are in child care and have choices of things
to do. After school they need a chance to unwind with active play activities
both indoors or outdoors. They are usually ready for an after-school snack.
Find a program where the children are busy and happy. Visit several before
you choose one.
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 child care provider
looking for training that you can do at home? Go to the Penn State Cooperative
Extension Better Kid Care Program Web site, at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu,
for one- and two-hour training units. There is also information for parents
on children’s issues and an email newsletter. Look for activity
and snack ideas. Take advantage of the links to other sites such as the
DPW Web site, found 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
September 2002
