Parent Fact Sheets

These Fact Sheets are designed to be used by Parents to improve the welfare of their children.

Displaying 21 - 40 of 117

TOILET TRAINING

TOILET TRAINING

There are many theories on how to potty train a child. However, there are some developmental stages that the child must have met for him to be successful. The child must be able to:

• Walk by himself to the toilet or potty chair

• Be able to sit by himself

• Dress himself or be able to pull down his pants and pull them back up again

• Stay dry for up to two hours.

• Tell you when they need to go

• Follow basic directions

• Be interested in going in the toilet or in wearing underwear.

THUMB-SUCKING FACTS

THUMB-SUCKING FACTS

Babies are born with the natural desire to suck. In fact, many babies suck their thumbs while in the womb. This sucking reflex allows the baby to take in food, in the form of breast milk or baby formula. That’s why a baby when they are not hungry will become calm when sucking on a pacifier.

TEACHING YOUR CHILD THROUGH EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES

TEACHING YOUR CHILD THROUGH EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES

Often working parents are concerned with the quality of time they spend with their child. Spending “quality time” with your child does not have to be a formal learning experience. Most of the everyday activities you do with your child can be an important learning experience.

To identify some of the learning activities you are doing with your child, let’s look at a few of the learning domains.

TEACHING PRESCHOOLERS COMMUNICATION

TEACHING PRESCHOOLERS COMMUNICATION

By preschool age, (3 to 6 years), most children have learned to talk in full sentences. They love to talk about things they have done.

For example: “Remember yesterday when we saw that butterfly, it was so pretty.”

Very young preschoolers may struggle with stories and putting happenings in the correct order. By age six they are usually able to tell a story in the proper sequence.

Preschoolers may tell fantastic stories. They love to recount imaginary stories.

TEACHING MY CHILD TO BE INDEPENDENT

TEACHING MY CHILD TO BE INDEPENDENT

Independence is an important skill for young children to develop. Often the first time a parent needs to deal with independent issues is when the child first goes to childcare. Teaching children independence is a natural part of a child’s separation process and is needed for autonomy.

Before your child enters childcare, the child may have expected you to do most things for him. Often you are in a hurry and find it hard to facilitate your child’s independence.

TEACHING MY CHILD HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS

HELPING CHILDREN TO MAKE FRIENDS

Every parent wants to see their child happy playing with their friends. No parent wants to hear, “I don’t have any friends. No one likes me.” However, that does not always come easily to children. Children develop at different rates, however all children need to develop the skills necessary to make friends and to be a friend. When in social situations observe your child and see how other children react to them.

TEACHING CHILDREN RESPECT

WHY SHOULD WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN RESPECT?

Learning to respect peers, authority, parents, and themselves is a necessary skill for children to learn in order to be successful. When a child learns to respect their parents, they listen and follow direction because they know you are looking out for their best interest.

We need to teach children respect so they can learn:

     • responsibility to respect and take care of objects that belong to others.

SUN SAFETY

SUN SAFETY

Summertime is a time for enjoying being outdoors. Children love to play in the back yard, at the park, and at the beach. As a parent, you no doubt want to make outdoor play with your child part of your schedule. It can also be a time for painful and dangerous sunburns. As a parent, it is important that you put a plan in place to protect your child so they can safely play outdoors.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, infants under six months should not be exposed to the sun and their skin is too sensitive for sunscreen.

To protect your infant:

SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR CHILD

 SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR CHILD

Quality time with your child can be defined as a time period when you give your child your full attention.  Most parents and families are very busy.  Parents may work more than one job, children have school and afterschool activities, homework, shopping, laundry, cooking, and caring for the needs of each child can be overwhelming.

WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR CHILD?

SIGNS OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS - INFANTS 0-12 MONTHS

As a parent, you are in the position to know your baby best. You are with your baby everyday and are one of the most important person your child interacts with. Many new parents have the tendency to compare your baby’s development with other babies.

It is very important to understand that each child develops at their own pace. However, there are certain milestones that babies should reach during their first year. (Parent Fact Sheet –“Infant Developmental Milestones”.

SHOULD MY SCHOOL AGE CHILD STILL GO TO FAMILY CHILDCARE?

There are many children who come home to empty houses after school. They are being called ‘latch key’ children. Parents often experience the difficult dilemma of trying to find an afterschool program for their child. As more parents work outside of their homes there is a need for a safe and appropriate place for school age children. Quality family childcare can supplement and continue what the child’s school offers by providing different types of life and learning experiences.

Family childcare can be especially helpful in supplementing the following school limitations:

SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME

SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME

Babies cry, they cry loudly and often. Fussy babies can cry for extended periods of time. On occasion, a parent or caregiver can become very frustrated or even angry when the baby will not stop crying. When a person severely shakes the baby or toddler it can cause Shaken Baby Syndrome. (SBS)

SETTING AGE APPROPRIATE LIMITS



Age Appropriate limits are the limits we set for our children based on the child’s developmental age as opposed to their chronological age. Your child’s developmental age is the age at which they can understand and act on certain behaviors.


For example, you would not expect an 18 month old child to share and gladly hand over their toy to another child because you told them it was the right thing to do.

SELECTING A CHILD CARE PROVIDER – POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Selecting a family childcare provider for your child, can be a very intimidating process. Of course, you want the best fit for your child and meeting the provider, examining the environment and looking at the curriculum are essential. There is another important aspect that should be taken into consideration. You should expect to be given a written comprehensive policy and procedure document.

SELECTING A CHILD CARE PROVIDER – ENVIRONMENT FOR INFANT AND TODDLERS

It can be very difficult to entrust your precious infant or toddler to childcare for the first time.
To help you with the process, here are some things you should look for and questions to consider when choosing a program:

DOES THE PROGRAM HAVE WELL PLANNED SPACES TO SUPPORT YOUR INFANT'S DEVELOPMENT?

• Are there areas where my child can explore freely?

• Does it meet the state licensing requirements for enrollment of infants and toddlers in care at the same time?

• Does the space promote and support relationship building?

SELECTING A CHILD CARE PROVIDER -CONTRACT

SELECTING A CHILD CARE PROVIDER -CONTRACT

When you have selected a family childcare provider for your child, before your child starts care you should expect to be given a comprehensive written list of the provider’s policies and procedures and a contract. It is important that you carefully go over the contract and the policies before your child starts Go over each page with your provider and make sure you understand what is expected of you and what you expect from them. Ask questions and make sure you get a satisfactory answer for any questions you may have.

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