Early Childhood Resources

WVIZ/PBS offers many resources to assist you in preparing your children or day care students for a life of learning:

Other resources that may be helpful are listed below:

Age of Computers

Parents today face many issues regarding children and computers. Our children’s lives are greatly influenced by technology, and this is just the beginning. Computers are here to stay along with the Internet and software targeting the youngest of users. So how computer literate are they? What kind of software is educational? As parents, what can we do to make sure they are safe?

Computer Literacy
Computer literacy has been defined in the past as mastering operations, computer terminology and knowledge of how a computer works. Today, a child’s computer literacy is measured by their awareness of what the computer can do to help them learn, find and create. Children will have a more confidant attitude when encountering new things in the computer environment if they have had a wide range of experience. Very young children gain computer literacy by the exposure of watching an older sibling or parent. Once they have observed they will quickly become more active grabbing the mouse, banging on the keyboard and pointing at the screen. As children get older, they master skills to explore software and begin to see that the computer is their tool. As these skills develop, children gain more and more benefits from using the computer.

Choosing Software
The software you select for your child’s computer plays a big role in determining the value and enjoyment they will get out of their computer experience. Here are some tips to help you choose software for your children:

* Know where your child is developmentally?
* Know what fascinates your child - animals or cars?
* Does your child prefer game-based educational products or more open-ended, discovery type products
* Choose software that is designed for your child’s age-range.
* Are the characters, story, music, colors, and other content appealing?
* Are the graphics, text and navigation buttons simple, large and easy to click on?
* Can your child operate and enjoy the program without reading skills?
* Is your child required to plan, think and respond quickly.
* Is the software easy to use? The rule of thumb is “If it is not easy to use, it won’t get used!”
* Visit the program with your child to make sure they can enter, navigate and operate its main features.
* Seek out resources to help you choose software.
The Children’s Software Revue
Family PC

Internet Safety
Making sure your child is exploring their way through Internet sites that are appropriate is another big concern for parents. As children become more aware of the functions, ideas and behaviors of the computer culture, teaching safe behavior on the Internet is a must. The Internet is an environment that is constantly evolving. It is filled with information, games, opportunities and communication. Along with the excitement, the Internet is filled with danger for children. Your job as a parent is to be aware of dangers in everyday life as well as on the Internet. Guiding your child with care will help them develop the skills to recognize danger and avoid it on their own. You are the keeper and the teacher of the values you want your children to possess. You have the right and the responsibility to control your child’s access to experiences on the Internet. Talking with your children about what they learn online, both good and bad, is important.

For more information about children and computers visit these web sites:
www.uskidscompute.com
www.ctw.org/parents/techtips/article

Appropriate Television

“Taking responsibility for your children’s television viewing is one of the most important things you can do as a parent.”
-Peggy Charren, Founder of Action for Children’s Television

* Watch television with your children and talk with them about the program. Ask Questions: What do you think will happen next? Was that the best way to solve the problem? Do things like that happen in our family? A television program can help start conversations and create opportunities for further learning from you-your child’s most important teacher.

* Limit the amount of time your children watch television - maximum 2 hours/day. The less time your children spend watching television, the more time they will have to spend doing more worthwhile activities such as reading, playing with friends, or taking a walk with you.

* Monitor what your children watch. Choose a “balanced television diet” for your children. Get out the TV Guide and “shop” for good programs for your child to watch each day. Consider the main courses to be educational programs and the snacks and desserts to be pure entertainment shows which should be watched in moderation.

* Encourage your children to be active TV viewers. Educational programs provide a lot of opportunities for children to sing and dance along with their favorite characters, answer game show questions, and repeat new words. Encourage your child to imitate positive actions and behavior seen on TV.

* Use television as a springboard for reading and other learning activities. Being an active viewer also means following up viewing with activities and reading to reinforce the educational messages of the programs. Reading Rainbow and Arthur recommend books at the end of each program and programs like Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood are filled with ideas for easy activities for you to do with your child at home.

* Provide real alternatives to television viewing. If you can, stop what you are doing and involve your child in another activity. Choose a book together or do a puzzle. Any time spent playing and learning with you is more worthwhile than watching the best educational television program.

* Be able to identify appropriate television programs for your children. Ask yourself: Is this program appropriate for my child? Does the program give my child role models for good behavior? Does it present complicated stories that are too difficult for my child to understand? Is there too much violent or sexual content? Does it present my child with stereotypes of people in the world? Television images and events can have a powerful influence on young children. You can make sure it is a positive influence.

Recommended Reading: The Smart Parent’s Guide to KIDS” TV, by Milton Chen, Ph. D.
(KQED Books, 1994).

Back to School

It is the time of year for children to be going back to school or starting school for the very first time. The relaxing days of summer are over and the new experiences of the school year are about to begin. With these changes all families will have adjustments to make. There are things you can do to make these changes happen smoothly and make the experience more enjoyable for you and your child.

Have a positive attitude about the beginning of school! Children will feel more secure about going to school if you are enthusiastic and confident. Many schools hold an open house before the beginning of the year. Attending an open house is a wonderful opportunity for your child to meet their teacher and see the school. This is also a good opportunity for you to meet the teacher and get involved with your child’s school. (Children who have parents that are involved at school do better academically.) Try to arrange a play date for your child with a few of the children he/she will be going to school with. It can be comforting for a child to have a friend at school. Your child might also enjoy having a family photo to carry to school just in case they miss you during the day. These few tips will help your child to feel more secure with the very first days of school.

Talk to your child about your expectations for when school starts. Help children to prepare for the time change by starting an early bedtime, as well as an early wake up time. Make bedtime fun by getting new books to read or a new stuffed animal to sleep with. Involve children in helping pick out their clothes the night before. Develop a morning routine, being specific about what needs to be done and in what order. Try taking photographs of your child during their morning routine ( i.e.- dressing, making bed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, getting lunch and backpack and saying goodbye) and making a picture timeline for him/her to follow. It will also help if you are ready ahead of time and are available to help guide your child through this new morning routine. These steps should ensure a good start to the day.

Last, but not least, children need to know what to expect at the end of the day. If you will be picking your child up, make every effort to be there a little early and designate a meeting spot at the school.
If your child will be riding the bus, reassure them that there will be someone there to help them get on the bus. Make sure your child knows who will be waiting for him/her when they get home. Provide a special after-school-snack or dinner to be enjoyed at the end of an exciting day. Then be available with lots of free time for your child to tell you all about their first day of school. You may even want to help your child create a “first day at school” book with pictures and samples of work to remember this exciting day. This book can then be used at the beginning of the next school year to remind your child that going to school is fun.

Some good books about starting school you can read with your child are:
Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen
My First Day of School by Patrick Halliman
When You Go To Kindergarten by James Howe
A Kiss for Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik

Cabin Fever

Got the cold weather blues? Tired of keeping the kids in when it’s cold and snowy outside? Since we can’t change what’s going on outside, we’ll have to create a change of scenery inside! Here are some cabin fever relievers to help you get through the winter:

Make Play Clay
Children will have hours of fun with this non-toxic clay that they help make! In a large, heavy pan, mix 3 cups flour, 3 tablespoons alum (found in the spice section of your supermarket), and 1½ cups of salt. Add 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 3 cups of water. Stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture reaches the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove from the heat and cool. Divide into quarters and place each quarter into a clear plastic bag to protect children’s skin and the kitchen counter from the food coloring. Make a depression in the middle of the clay in each bag and add four to six drops of food coloring. Children can help you squeeze the plastic bags to mix the color. Seal in airtight jars or heavy plastic bags when not being used.

Huff and Puff!
Clear a table and have the children stand at each side. Put five cotton balls about 4 inches apart down the middle of the table. The children on each side try to blow the cotton balls off the opposite side of the table. To add more fun, tell the story of The Three Little Pigs on the day you play this game.

Day Camp
When outdoor fun must wait for another day, take children “camping” inside! Throw a blanket over a table to form a tent. Fold up one side onto the table so children can crawl in and out. Talk about the items you will need for your camp out: flashlight, blanket, play food, or firewood. Sit inside together and use a flashlight for storytime. Send children out for firewood (use building logs or unsharpened pencils), then pretend to cook a meal over the campfire.

Cup Pyramid
Find as many small empty plastic cups as you can to have the children build a cup pyramid!

Matching Mittens
On a wintry day, have children put their mittens or gloves on the center of a table. If there are no mittens available, have the children make their own using child-safe scissors and construction paper of different colors. Be sure both mittens match. Take one mitten from each pair and go into another room to hide them. Then call in the children to find their mittens. Take turns hiding the mittens.

Play with Big or Small Boxes
Don’t forget how much fun children have creating toys with old boxes. It’s amazing what they can come up with: With big boxes, kids build telephones booths, boats, easels, starry nights, farms, or doll houses. With small boxes, children create musical instruments, stop lights, memory boxes, gifts, peek-a-boos, or stacking games.

For more ideas on rainy day activities check out:
Cabin Fever Relievers by Tina Koch and Mary-Lane Kamberg
Play with Small Boxes and Play with Big Boxes both books by Liz and Dick Wilmes
Visit PBS on the Internet at http://www.pbs.org/kids/

Puppy Love

I want a pet! How many times have you heard that statement from your children? Puppies and kittens are cute as babies but as adults we know that they grow up very quickly. It’s easy for us to fall head over hills in love when we see that cute 6- week old pup. But there are a lot of things to consider before you bring any pet into your home.

If you are considering a dog ask yourself the following questions:

* How big will the dog get? Do I have enough room in my home for the dog?
* What is the temperament of the dog?
* Do I know anything about the breed? Or the breeder?
* Can I afford to properly take care of the dog? (Veterinary care, food, supplies, grooming etc.)
* Do I have time to exercise the dog daily?
* Are my children too young to have a pet? Are my children responsible enough to help?

If you still feel confident that you can introduce a dog into the home and care for it properly then here are a few suggestions:

* Choose an active, friendly, inquisitive dog.
* Avoid one that is afraid of everything and everyone. Timid puppies can grow up to be aggressive and bite.
* The AKC recommends that you do not buy a dog from a pet shop or retailer. They recommend that you seek out a reputable breeder.
* Unless you plan on breeding your dog, be sure to have it spayed or neutered to help keep the pet population under control.
* Visit your local animal shelter if you are looking to adopt. It is an inexpensive alternative and your pet will be spayed or neutered at no cost.

Choosing a cat is not much different than choosing a dog. When choosing a cat:

* Consider the cat’s personality. Does he hiss when you try to touch him?
* Look for a cat that is active, playful and alert.
* Most young children cannot properly handle a kitten. If you have a child in the house you may want to consider a cat that is at least four months old. Older cats tend to be more relaxed.
* Remember that they also have to see the veterinarian to stay healthy. Can you afford a cat? (Food, veterinary care, toys etc..)
* Don’t forget to have your cat spayed/neutered.

Other pets to consider adopting include:

* Fish
* Ant Farm
* Rabbits
* Birds
* Hamsters
* Guinea Pigs

Please remember that any pet that you decide to adopt needs tender loving care. They all need proper housing, food, toys, exercise and health care. As long as you weigh the pros and cons you, your pet and your children will live happy lives together.

Great web sites:
The Animal Protective League
The Humane Society of the United States
Pet Magazine

Spring Cleaning

It’s that time of year again! Time to get rid of those dust bunnies that have been hiding out all winter. How can we keep our children’s areas clean and healthy?

Sanitize objects and surfaces.
Keep in mind that with warmer weather, children will want to take their toys outside. Be sure to clean them when they are brought back into the center or home! The recommended bleach solution is a ¼ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water or 1 tablespoon per quart. Use this solution to disinfect items and surfaces, such as diaper changing surfaces, tabletops, toys, and eating utensils, after they have been cleaned with soap and water. Leave the bleach solution on the surface for at least two minutes before drying with a paper towel or allowing the surface to air dry. You will need to make a fresh bleach solution each day because bleach loses its strength when it is exposed to air.

Hand washing - the first line of defense against infectious disease.
When you wash and how often you wash are more important that what you wash with. Always wash your hands before eating or handling food, before feeding a child, after diapering and toileting, after handling or cleaning body fluids, after wiping noses, mouths, bottoms, sores, after handling or feeding pets, after playing outdoors. A few concepts to remember about hand washing are: 1. Always use running water that drains. 2. Use soap, preferably liquid. 3. Scrub your hands together for at least 10 seconds. This friction helps remove the germs. Rinse hands well under running water until all the soil and soap are gone. Turn off the faucet with a paper towel. Because you use your dirty hands to turn on the faucet, the faucet is considered dirty at all times.

Air quality
Adequate ventilation, humidity, and temperature control increase our resistance to illness and ability to get well after sickness. In summer, hot and humid air prevents children’s bodies from cooling off well and they tend to overheat. Keep the air temperature between 68° and 82° F in the summer, if possible. Open the windows in every room at least once a day to circulate fresh air (except in centrally air-conditioned or ventilated buildings). Make sure windows have screens to prevent insects from coming indoors.

Taking a few extra precautions will help keep you and your family safe while enjoying the sunny days ahead.

Winter blues got you down? Can’t stand to look at another piece of turkey? Are your kids begging for every toy in the toy catalog?

We realize that this time of year can make you go crazy. So, we decided to print a few tips on how to stay calm during the stressful holiday season.

1. Identify which situations cause you stress and try to avoid them.
2. Be realistic. Realize that you can’t do everything and do it well.
3. Prioritize- make a list of what’s important and what isn’t. Things that aren’t important can wait until the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is over.

Tis the Season

The holidays can be a stressful time for children as well as adults. Children experience stress when their daily routines change, when their surroundings become overwhelming with the glitz and glamour of the holiday season and are expected (by adults) to withstand crowds, parties and other festive events without becoming cranky.

Children become frustrated when they cannot verbalize their feelings. They may cry, yell and scream, have a temper tantrum or perform other undesirable behaviors. Here are a few tips on how to help your children handle the holiday’s.

1. Try to keep your daily routine as normal as possible.
2. Acknowledge your child’s feelings when they do become frustrated and angry.
3. When your child looses self-control hold them, so they don’t hurt themselves or others.
4. Encourage your child to use his/her words to express their feelings.
5. Encourage alternative outlets of aggression. For example, singing, listening to music, or pounding on play dough.

Books can offer children a way to understand and express their own feelings. When parents and care givers read books about strong emotions such as anger and frustration, children begin to make a connection between their own feelings and the story. Listed below are a few books dealing with anger and frustration that are available at your local library.

The Chocolate-covered-cookie Tantrum by Deborah Blumenthal.
Melanie Jane by Susan Arkin Couture, illustrated by Isabelle Dervaux.
On Monday When It Rained, by Cherryl Kachenmeister, photographs by Tom Berthiaume.

Resources
What Do You Do With The Mad That You Feel?
Send for a free brochure from Family Communications, producers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. This brochure addresses understanding anger and gives helpful hints on dealing with this topic. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Early Childhood Services, Attention: MRN Brochure.