Public Service Announcements
July 2001
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 as they explore new things
and learn new skills.
Child care providers can get training and order free materials from
Penn State Cooperative Extension's Better Kid Care Program. For information
call
1-800-452-9108.
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 will model
correct behavior to help a young child learn.
The Better Kid Care Program at Penn State has various training options
and educational materials for providers in Pennsylvania who call
1-800-452-9108
to order.
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.
Have your child's caregiver call
1-800-452-9108 to order
free materials from Penn State Cooperative Extension's Better Kid
Care Program.
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.
For more ideas for working with children and ways to get training,
caregivers in Pennsylvania can call Penn State Cooperative Extension's
Better Kid Care Program at
1-800-452- 9108 for information.
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 explore in sand, mud, and water. Singing
and finger play activities are favorites. Young children need space to
run, climb, and jump.
If your child's provider needs training, have her call the Penn
State Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program at
1-800-452-9108
for information.
PSA #6 - The Better Kid Care Website is
adding more valuable information all the time. There is a new E-Newsletter
and there are 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's Child Care Works Website,
www.childcare.state.pa.us
for additional child care related information for parents, child care
providers, employers, and community planners.
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
email:
naw6@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-5880
Fax: 814-865-7893
July 2001
