Public Service Announcements
August 2003
CHILD CARE TIPS FOR PARENTS
PSA #1 - Parents, a good child care provider
is more than just a babysitter. Look for a caregiver who has experience
with children the same age as your child and training in child development.
Find someone who is warm, loving, and speaks to children in a positive
way.
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 - Good child care providers help
children learn social skills such as taking turns, sharing, and getting
along with others. They encourage children to talk about what they feel
and see. They involve children in planning activities and provide experiences
to explore new things.
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 - Find a caregiver for your child
who will provide opportunities for creative activities, dramatic play,
and reading stories. There will be chances for active play, indoors and
out. Good child care providers earn training hours each year.
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 - Does your
child want to stay alone at times and not want to go to child care? If
you are a working parent, it can be difficult to decide when your child
is ready to be alone before or after school. Some signs of readiness are
behaving in a mature manner, finishing homework with little help, getting
ready for school on time, and talking with you about feelings.
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 - Role play various situations before
deciding if your child is ready to stay alone. These include what to do
if the smoke alarm goes off or if he is injured. Have your child make
a simple snack. Go over what to do in case of an emergency. Have a plan
for dependable child care if, after a trial period, staying alone does
not work out.
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 has a Web site with information for
parents and child care providers on children’s issues. When you
are on the Internet go to
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu
for snack ideas, newsletters for caregivers, working parents, developmental
charts, activity ideas, and on-line training for child care providers.
The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Web site at:
www.childcare.state.pa.us is one of many links to other sites with
information about children.
If you have access to the internet, look up the Better Kid Care Web page
at
http://betterkidcare.psu.edu.
You will find information about children's issues, child care,
and links to other Web sites.
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
