Public Service Announcements
November 2003
CHILD CARE TIPS FOR PARENTS
PSA #1 - Play is important for children.
It is not just a time for fun, but the way children learn new skills.
When selecting child care, parents need to make sure that there are toys
and play equipment at the center or home that are appropriate for their
child’s age and abilities.
Good child care providers are always looking for new ideas. 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 - Child care programs should have
a variety of play activities. Children need chances to use their imaginations
with things like block play, art projects, reading and acting out stories,
and using puppets. Active play such as running, jumping, and climbing
help develop large muscles. Small muscles are used in activities such
as painting, drawing, and stringing beads.
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 learn how to socialize
while playing with each other. They increase their thinking and problem-solving
skills. They improve their communication and language skills and increase
their self-confidence and self-control.
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 - It is up
to parents and child care providers to make sure that children have safe
toys and play equipment at child care and at home. Toys and playthings
need to be appropriate for the ages and the abilities of the children.
Any toy can be unsafe if misused or not right for the child’s age.
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 purchasing toys, parents and
child care providers should be sure to read labels for age guidelines
and to read over directions. Throw away packaging that may have small
pieces or thin plastic. Any broken toys at the center or home that cannot
be fixed should be thrown away. Most important, children need to be supervised
when they play, even with safe toys.
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
Program, a Cooperative Extension program at Penn State, has information
for parents and child care providers on the Internet. Visit the Better
Kid Care Web site at:
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu.
Parents can find other child care information on the Pennsylvania Department
of Public Welfare Web site at:
www.childcare.state.pa.us.
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
