About Child Care

Kids in Home Child Care May Be Watching More TV Than Thought

2009-11-24T09:22:31Z

Do you know much television your child is watching while in family day care?� You might think again.� According to a new study by the Seattle Children's Research Institute, the amount of television viewed by young children is double previous estimates.� More TV time occurred in home-based settings than in center-based daycares.� So, how much are we talking here?� A lot.� The study found that among preschool-aged children, those in home-based daycare settings watched TV on average of 2.4 hours daily.� This compares with .4 hours of TV viewing of the same age group in center-based programs.� What's more, a majority of these same children watch more television once they return home from daycare, meaning in many cases, young children are literally spending hours in front of the TV.� Excessive TV watching is linked to language delay, obesity, aggression, and other behavioral problems.� Parents need to know what their child is doing when at daycare, and then make sure they provide their child with opportunities outside TV viewing once home.�

Kids in Home Child Care May Be Watching More TV Than Thought originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 09:22:31.

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'Tis the Time to Review Table Manners

2009-11-19T17:59:33Z

Thanksgiving is a great time to encourage kids to use proper manners and to remember to say please, thank you, and not to comment about food they dislike.� It's always a test to see how my children act at their grandparent's scrumptious food spread on Thanksgiving Day.� I know that things that appeal to me are absolutely gross to my children.� There is a standing joke with my husband's family about green olives, for example.� My husband pops them like popcorn into his mouth, and I'm hoping that this year my daughter will finally be able to pass them without a comment about how terrible they smell or look (to her, anyway).� I'm just so thrilled that I can now keep my kids sitting around the table until they are excused--which is usually quite a while after they are finished eating!

'Tis the Time to Review Table Manners originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 17:59:33.

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National Family Week Encourages Ways to Strengthen the Family

2009-11-18T11:57:58Z

National Family Week is traditionally celebrated the week of Thanksgiving, which this year is Nov. 22-28. �The weeklong observance, by the Alliance for Children and Families, is simply meant to promote ways that families can connect with each other and with their community.� Part of the reason that it is planned over Thanksgiving is to encourage volunteering as a family and to be appreciative of loved ones.� Since more families are struggling this year financially, look for ways to help others in need as a way to promote charitable giving and instill a generous heart!�

National Family Week Encourages Ways to Strengthen the Family originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 11:57:58.

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Teach Kids to Give Thanks by Writing Thank You Notes

2009-11-17T16:14:01Z

My child's school is having�every child�write thank you notes for a variety of reasons, and I couldn't be happier.� Too often, parents say kids aren't old enough to write a thank you note.� However, scribbles, stickers and just about anything that a young child can do can serve as an initial sign of thanks, so hard can it be, really?� Truth is, we as parents get lazy about having our kids write notes.� That's a shame!�� If you even are thinking about your child saying thanks for something, then a thank you note is in order!

Teach Kids to Give Thanks by Writing Thank You Notes originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 16:14:01.

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Calling All Parents: Your Daycare or School Really Needs You!

2009-11-14T08:21:15Z

Many schools and daycare centers are struggling to have successful and safe field trips, outings and activities this year--in part because parent volunteerism is down.� It's typically not that parents don't want to help out; it's because many are working longer hours or have less flexible schedules.� But because a teacher can't do a party or handle multiple kids solely, kids may miss out on some fun experiences.� With holiday parties and events planned, if you can spare any time at all, speak up and say "yes" to lending a helping hand.� All the kids will really appreciate your efforts--especially your own child!

Calling All Parents: Your Daycare or School Really Needs You! originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 08:21:15.

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Food Stamps Common for U.S. Children

2009-11-12T12:00:45Z

Nearly half of all U.S. kids will be on food stamps at some point during childhood, according to new research, and the recession is expected to increase that percentage even higher.� The estimate comes from an analysis of 30 years of national data and suggests that almost everyone knows a family who has received food stamps in the past or will so in the future, according to lead author Mark Rank.� Food stamps are a Department of Agriculture program for low-income families.� The study also shows that while 49 percent of all children overall were on food stamps at some point, almost 90 percent of black children and 37 percent of whites were.� The analysis did not include other ethnic gorups.� The findings make it even more important for community groups to continue local food drives, not just during the holiday season but throughout the year.� If your family is fortunate enough to not need assistance, consider ways to teach philanthropy through family activities that promote giving and generosity!

Food Stamps Common for U.S. Children originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 12:00:45.

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Teacher Appreciation Gifts to Consider Now

2009-11-10T14:28:01Z

I am an absolute planner, and it makes me feel so good to have teacher gifts and cheap classroom party�exchange ideas purchased or made in advance.� I do as much for the upcoming holiday season as possible ahead of time so that I am less stressed and overall more joyful around the season.�� Although last-minute things will invariably still pop up, I find that being a planner and having things purchased and checked off my list makes the unexpected emergencies much more manageable!

Teacher Appreciation Gifts to Consider Now originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 14:28:01.

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Is An Au Pair the Child Care Solution for Your Family?

2009-11-06T14:29:08Z

Constant turnover at daycare centers, safety concerns, and the preference for children to be cared for in their own home are a few of the many reasons many families are looking at an au pair arrangement for child care.� There are pros and cons to be considered, and the cost is certainly more than at a traditional daycare center, but the rewards can be worth it if the au pair and family hit it off well.� The hardest part is that you still have to say goodbye to an au pair between one and two years.�

Is An Au Pair the Child Care Solution for Your Family? originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 14:29:08.

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Latest Daycare Reviews Provide Parental Perspective of Care

2009-11-04T13:06:41Z

If you use a daycare you absolutely love, don't you want to share the news? At the same time, if you've experienced a daycare setting that you feel isn't up to par or, even worse, a potential threat to a child's well-being, don't you want others to know about it as well? New daycare reviews have been posted, and I'd love you to share your opinions about your experiences. After all, one of the best ways to find a great daycare is through word of mouth!

Latest Daycare Reviews Provide Parental Perspective of Care originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 13:06:41.

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Teaching Kids Character Can't Start Soon Enough

2009-11-03T15:06:14Z

Character is a�common theme taught throughout the month of November at daycare centers and classrooms.� Building on the holiday Thanksgiving and giving thanks for what a child has is emphasized throughout the month by many teachers and child care providers alike.�� Caregivers talk about how teaching character, building virtues, and helping others who are less fortunate this month helps kids to maintain a more balanced sense of appreciation and minimizes "the gimmees" during the approaching holidays.�� My younger kids are already talking about upcoming canned food drives and warm coat collections, and I'm so glad that they have the giving spirit!� I just hope it carries them through the holidays!

Teaching Kids Character Can't Start Soon Enough originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 15:06:14.

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