Public Service Announcements
August 2001
CHILD CARE TIPS FOR PARENTS
PSA #1 - Preschool-age children have learned
many skills and are ready to take on the world! They are on the verge
of learning to read, write, and many other things. Working parents should
look for a child care program that meets the needs of their preschoolers.
They should look for an experienced, well-trained caregiver.
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 - In a good child care program
for preschoolers, the children will take part in planning the activities.
They will be given choices of things to do during play times. There will
be materials and playthings where they can reach them that are appropriate
for their ages.
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 - Preschool-age children need
time to do drawing and writing activities. There should be lots of paper,
pencils, markers, and crayons for them to use at child care. They can
copy and trace shapes and letters. See if there is a place to do messy
art activities where they can be creative.
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 - A well-trained caregiver will
give preschool age children many chances to use language throughout the
day. She knows this will help build reading skills. The children will
be encouraged to talk about things they have seen and done and stories
they have read. Conversations will take place at meal times. There will
be a reading corner for looking at books.
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 - Children between the ages
of three and five are learning to play together and can form friendships.
Paying simple games together teaches cooperation. Science and math activities
promote thinking skills. Art and music help develop creativity. Pretend
playtime can increase imagination and be a time to practice some life
skills while playing such things as house or going to the store.
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 - Today, more and more parents
and child care providers are using the Internet to find information. Penn
State's Better Kid Care Program has a Web site at
www.betterkidcare.psu.edu
that includes tips for parents on child care issues, training ideas for
caregivers, activity and snack ideas, an e-Newsletter, and links to other
Web sites.
For additional child-care related information, go to the Pennsylvania
Department of Public Welfare's child care works 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
email:
naw6@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-5880
Fax: 814-865-7893
August 2001
