CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITY CHILD CARE

Quality Child Care:

1.  Is appropriately licensed or registered as required by the state in which it is located

2.  Does not have serious/numerous licensing violations or complaints

If the above two conditions are met, the assumption is that the following are also true of the child care program.  However, this may not always be the case and you need to make sure that in your experience with the program it:

3.  Is neat and clean

4.  Has curriculum/activities that are appropriate for the age of the children

5.  Is safe

6.  Is well-staffed and the children are well supervised (check what your state's staff to child ratio requirement are)

7.  Leaves you feeling comfortable about dropping off your child and your child should feel comfortable being dropped off

See the article  "Steps to finding good child care"  for ideas on how to find a child care provider that meets these requirements.

STEPS TO FINDING GOOD CHILD CARE

1. Compile a list of child care centers that you think may work for your child(ren).  The easiest way to do this is to use Childcare Central, of course!!

2. Call the centers and get some basic information.  Find out if they have any openings, what age of children they serve, how much they cost, what their hours are, and any other critical information. (You may be able to find some of this information on Childcare Central as well.)

3. Eliminate any child care centers that won't work for you (aren't open the hours you need them, etc.)

4. Call back the 5-10 centers/home daycares you think would likely best suit your needs and arrange a time to visit.

5. If possible, don't bring your child along on the first visit so you can ask questions, be observant, and focus on finding out what you need to know. (See the article "Characteristics of good child care" to get a list of things you should look for).

6. Ask for the center's policy book or parent handbook, brochures, or any additional written information they have.  Thank them for their time.

7. Review the information from the centers you visited and narrow down your list to the top 3-5.

8. Visit these centers again, but this time bring your child along and see which one he/she seems to feel most comfortable at.

9. Ask any additional questions you have.

10. Call the agency in your state that licenses daycares and make sure that the child care arrangements you are favoring are appropriately licensed and don't have any complaints or pending investigations against them.

11. Call the daycare you like the best and register your child!  *(Instead of calling, you could go to the daycare to register your child.  If you show up unannounced, you can see how the daycare is run when they aren't expecting a prospective parent.  If you like what you see, you can then register your child.)

12. Continue to monitor the care arrangement you have chosen and make sure it continues to provide your child quality care.

Colic Soothers

A colicky baby cries and whimpers all the time and parents are often at their wit's end on how to soothe their child. Colic babies cause severe sleep deprivation, frustration and exhaustion in parents as they worry constantly try to quiet the infant. It becomes difficult for them to understand that what is hurting their baby so. Colic crying consists of frequent and prolonged outbursts. According to experts, the most common reason for colic is abdominal pain in babies and the two most common reasons that cause tummy ache in infants are discussed here along with their symptoms and cures:

• Reflux or Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Since the circular band of muscle where the esophagus joins the stomach in babies is not fully matured yet, it allows stomach acid to flow into the esophagus and this causes heartburn and irritation in the lining.
• Symptoms: Babies cry a lot and are inconsolable. They spit up after feeding, writhe in pain, have frequent wet or sour burps and cannot sleep properly.
• Cure: Breast milk easier to digest and will reduce the chances of reflux, hence, nurse as long as possible. For colic babies, give half the amount at once but twice as often. Especially in bottle-feeding, it helps to digest milk better. After feeding, keep the baby upright elevating his head for about 30 to 45 degrees for at least half an hour. If your baby still remains colicky, the doctor may prescribe medication to reduce stomach acid.
• Allergy: A component of a formula or something in a mother’s diet who is still breastfeeding may act as an allergen for the baby.
• Symptoms: Apart from symptoms of GERD, the other symptoms of allergy may include diarrhea and raised rashes on the face and body of the baby.
• Cure: Feed your baby more frequently and in smaller amounts. If you are bottle-feeding for the baby, try a hypoallergenic formula. Cow’s milk is the most common infant allergen, so you can eliminate it for a week from a breastfeeding mother’s or baby’s diet and see whether it improves the condition of your baby. Other things that may act as allergens for the baby are soy, wheat, eggs and nuts.

However, there are other things too that can cause colic, so it is not necessary that all babies will respond to the above-mentioned methods. Yet, most babies outgrow the condition at the age of about three to six months.

Handling Crib Climbers

Is your toddler always on the look out of escaping from the crib? Around 18 to 24 months of age, most toddlers develop enough physical skills to enable them to climb. While some use their stuffed animals or pillows to climb out their climbers, there are others who would climb out of the crib, without the help of the toys. Infants around this time are so keen on exploring things that they become fearless. Even heights do not matter much to them. They even overlook the risk and the danger involved in climbing out of the crib. Infants, at this age, are constantly in search of opportunities, when their parents are no around. 

As parents, you need to figure out the climbing age of the child. You need to be careful, when children have learnt how to climb and reach new heights, as the ability to judge danger is still not developed in them. Children, who can control their upper body and its movements, such as bending over to pick up something and can jump on both feet, may also try to escape the confinements of the crib. The result can be too painful both for your kid and you. Fast developing motor skills makes your kid a little adventurer. Once a kid learns to walk and bend on his own, he/she would engage himself/.herself in activities which can be very hard to control. 

Just when your toddler becomes a crib climber, it is better to switch from crib to toddler's bed or a mattress on the floor for safety purposes. Even if the children do not try to climb out of the crib, it is advisable to move them to toddler bed or mattress on ground when they are as tall as 35 inches or about two years of age. Also, you need to keep a constant check on the child. Kids are susceptible to getting hurt and harming themselves mostly at this time. They would put their fingers into an electric board or pick up dirty things and put them in mouth or fall into a large container, while exploring it.

Safety Tips

• The furniture used must be with rounded corners.
• Pedestal fans are a strict no-no. Chances are the infant would insert his/her fingers in it.
• Always keep all kinds of sharp objects and tools out of reach
• Never allow your child run with something in his/her mouth.
• Do not give your child something sharp to hold. Baby skin is very sensitive. The sharp edges may cut the skin.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach. Chances are your kid would try to replicate you.
• Make sure you keep containers with hot drinks or food items away from the reach of the infant.

How to Care Your Child with Chicken Pox

Caused by varicella-zoster virus, chickenpox is a contagious infection that is most common to children below 12 years of age. The disease starts with a fever and slight headache followed by the appearance of rashes that eventually turn into small and itchy blisters.

Although the illness is considered by many to be mild, infected children may find dealing with the itch to be very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for the illness and it is usually not treated. Thus, the challenge now for the parents of children infected with chickenpox is helping them to feel comfortable. And here are ways to do so.

Control Temperature

Fever is chickenpox's major symptom. It is therefore important to closely monitor the child's temperature.

Give the infected child acetaminophen will to reduce the fever and assuage headaches and pains. Be sure to give the correct dosage which should be according to the child's age. In relation to this, parents should never offer their kids aspirin. Chickenpox combined with aspirin has been associated with a high risk of Reye's syndrome; a rare condition that harms the liver and the brain.

Using a cool compress will also help to reduce body temperature.

Reduce Itch

The itchy feeling brought by chickenpox is one of the infected child's biggest problems. Reducing this will make them feel better. To relieve the itch, bathe the child with water mixed with a small amount of oatmeal and/or sodium bicarbonate (commonly known as baking soda) every three hours. Parents can also apply calamine lotion to the child's skin or give an antihistamine to alleviate the itch (be sure to use in moderation since regular use of antihistamines can make children feel edgy).

It is also advised to encourage children not to scratch as this will just worsen the situation. If doing this is impossible for the child, keep their fingernails short to prevent deep scratching which may leave wounds and scars.

Address Mouth Sores

When blisters are also in the child's mouth, it is important to pay close attention to the food and drinks you serve them. Do not give them anything that has a lot of acid (i.e. orange or apple juice) as this will just worsen their pain. If possible, apply an ointment to reduce the pain.

The use of saltwater gargle will also help soothe the mouth's soreness.

 Give Plenty of Water

 Making sure that the child drinks enough water will not just keep them hydrated but will also help in reducing their pain and eventually lead to their fast recovery.

If none of these methods seem to make your children feel better (i.e. fever lasting longer than two days, swelling lumps), it is best to bring them to your doctor for a check-up.  

Chickenpox may be a common disease that is not life threatening, however, it still requires proper care. Parents who know how to handle chickenpox will help their children feel more comfortable as it runs its course.

How To Manage Separation Anxiety In Children

Dealing with separation anxiety can be harrowing for parents. The wails and tears elicit guilt and anxiety, as parents worry both about their child's emotional state and the caregiver's ability to handle the situation. Here are some pointers to help parents and caregivers work through the challenges of separation anxiety.

·         Remember that the behavior is normal. Although some kids never experience separation anxiety, for most, separation anxiety typically emerges around 9 to 12 months,and sometimes as early as 6 months, and can come and go through a child's early years. After babyhood, bouts of separation anxiety tend to crop up in the presence of other life stressors, such as moving, travel, divorce, or a new caregiver or classroom.

·         Time your departure strategically. If possible, time your departure with a fun distraction for your child. We have found departures to be easier when we leave in time for the sitter to break out a new toy or offer a fun snack or fruit dessert we have prepared.

·         Allocate extra time. Whether during day care dropoff or once the sitter arrives at your home, prepare to spend a little more time to help your child get engaged in an activity before you leave.

·         Talk it out. As you prepare to leave, tell your child, for example, that you will be back after their fun day of playing with friends, doing art activities, reading books, and eating snacks. These reminders can help get kids excited about being at school.

·         Keep departures brief. Parents often want to run back and offer consolation when their child cries, but every time you do this you train your child to keep crying so you come back. It's easiest for everyone if you keep your goodbyes short and sweet. Children typically recover soon after you leave.

·         Get your game face on. Your child is well attuned to your emotions. If you exude calm and confidence, they will feel more trusting of their caregiver, whereas if you look anxious and worried, they will mirror your emotions. Say your goodbyes with a confident smile and wave to help your child get off to a better start.

·         Don't ask if it's OK to leave. Remember that you are in charge. Do not ask permission to leave; your child will likely say no!

·         Do not sneak out. Resist the urge to sneak out to avoid a painful separation. Sneaking out will only cause your child confusion when they turn around and discover that you are gone, and repeated sneak outs will erode their trust.

·         Use a transition object. Transition objects can be very helpful for kids experiencing separation anxiety. Younger kids often find comfort in a favorite blankie or stuffed animal. Older kids may find it comforting to keep a small reminder of mom or dad in their pocket, such as an inexpensive pendant or a small smooth stone from a recent family beach trip.

·         Caregiver consistency. Kids like consistency, so whenever possible, try to book the same sitter, or opt for a family member or teacher from the day care. This will also help you feel more comfortable leaving. If you are confident in the way the caregiver distracts and handles the separation anxiety, you'll feel more comfortable leaving.

·         Trust your caregiver. Make it clear to your caregiver that it is OK to call you if there are problems. If you know the caregiver will call you if they need you, you won't feel guilty and compelled to call in every 30 minutes, which can break the rhythm the caregiver has established with your child.

·         Trust your instincts. The degree and length of separation anxiety varies from child to child, but if the separation anxiety is prolonged, think about whether a change needs to be made. This could be related to factors such as the caregiver arrangement or stress in the home.

·         Drop off solo. Separation invariably is more difficult with both parents present. Have one parent do drop off, or if both parents commute together, have one parent say their goodbyes in the car, and the other take the child in to handle drop off.

Separation anxiety can be stressful, but it is a normal developmental experience that will pass. And while separation anxiety can be difficult to work through, the upside is that it reflects that you have established a firm bond with your child.

 

How to Create a Kind Kid

Let's face it, bullying has become a national crisis.  The "mean girl" mentality starts as early as age 4, and cyber-bullying is scarily terrorizing elementary students in their own homes.  

As parents, it keeps us up at night.  Is my child getting teased and not telling me?  Would I know if she was the bully?  Would he tell me if there was a problem?  Is she really as kind as I think she is?

As the place where our children spend the most time, schools are now stepping in.  Teaching empathy - the ability to relate to another person's feelings and the motivation to act kindly toward that person - is become increasingly common as parents and schools look for ways to deal with issues such as bullying and school violence.  "More and more schools are implementing programs that teach the ability to read and to address others' emotions appropriately," says Tonia Caselman, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Oklahoma School of Social Work in Tulsa and author of Teaching Children Empathy, The Social Emotion (Youthlight, 2007).  These programs go by different names  -- character education, pro-social curriculum and bullying prevention, among them -- but the goal is the same: To get kids thinking about the feelings of others and acting in a caring way.

Why Empathy Matters

"Empathy is an essential skill for building and maintaining relationships," says Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D., a Princeton, New Jersey-based psychologist and coauthor of Smart Parenting for Smart Kids (Jossey-Bass, 2011).  "It allows us to recognize and share in the joys, worries, sorrows and frustrations of others and to respond in caring ways.  It also helps us to judge the impact of our actions on others so we can adjust our behaviors as needed."  An added bonus: people with higher levels of empathy tend to have better grades in school, more friendships and stronger relationships.

What You Can Do

"Some people tend to naturally be more empathic than others but empathy can be learned," says Dr. Caselman.  "In fact, parents can do a lot to help their child's empathy development."  Try these strategies in your family.

• Be responsive.  "Research shows that kids who have sensitive parents grow up to have more empathy toward others," says Dr. Caselman.  Responding to your baby's cries, your toddler's boo-boos and acknowledging your child's feelings builds a stable emotional base that boosts your child's ability to feel for others.

• Name emotions.  "Helping your child develop a good 'feelings vocabulary' will enable her to identify feelings within herself and others," says Dr. Caselman.  One way to do this is to let her hear you use feeling words.  For example, you might note, "I feel disappointed because my friend cancelled our lunch plans" or "I'm proud of myself for finishing my project early."

• Use books and movies to spark conversations.  "Discussing the feelings of characters is a nonthreatening way to help children learn to observe feelings," says Dr. Kennedy-Moore.  You can pose questions such as "How do you think he felt when that happened?  How can you tell?" and "Has something like that ever happened to you?"

• Practice picking up nonverbal cues.  "A lot of  emotional communication is nonverbal, so being empathic means we need to be able to interpret facial expressions, body language and tone of voice," explains Dr. Kennedy-Moore.  Her suggestion: Turn off the sound on a TV show or movie and challenge your child to figure out what's happening by observing the characters' facial expressions and body language.

• Look for opportunities to reach out to others.  If another family loses a loved one or is celebrating an accomplishment, have your child help you send a card.  "The ritual of recognizing other people's pain and celebrations helps kids develop empathy," says Dr. Caselman.

• Encourage volunteering.  Getting out in the community and helping others is a great way to develop understanding for other people's situations.

• Take advantage of teachable moments.  The next time your child displays some less than kind behavior (hey, it happens!), seize the opportunity.  "Instead of talking about how a behavior was bad, help your child see what the experience was like for the other person," says Dr. Caselman.  For example, you might ask, "How do you think Emma felt when you said she couldn't play with you?" to get a discussion rolling.

• Be on the lookout for acts of kindness.  "When your child does something kind or helpful point out the impact of his act on others," says Dr. Kennedy-Moore.  "This allows your child to feel healthy pride and also encourages awareness of others' feelings."  Be sure to speak up the next time your child includes a sibling in a playdate or helps out at home.

Once you have the tools to teach your child empathy, the best time to start is now!  "Like any other skill, the earlier one begins, the better developed that skill will be," says Dr. Caselman.  And don't be surprised if teaching your little compassion pays off in the form of a tighter bond between the two of you.  Acknowledging your child's perspective, making her feel safe to share her feelings and modeling kindness and caring - all things you'll do while teaching empathy - can add up to a better relationship as your child grows.