(Distributed 09/07/08) A child may continue to be fearful following a hurricane because of the uncertainty of the future. “A child can mix up real fear and make-believe fear. This is OK, and a parent or other care-giver can help in many ways,” says LSU AgCenter family and consumer sciences specialist Becky White.

To help educators and caregivers help youth cope with the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth Development program is reviewing and recommending curriculum materials that emphasize hands-on activities.

This article describes ways parents can help their children better understand how to deal with the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Dated September 6, 2005.

A large-scale tragedy like Hurricane Katrina can cause strong and deeply-felt reactions in children and adults. Emotional expressions by adults will influence the reactions of children and youth. Teachers can help children deal with their feelings by closely monitoring their own emotional situation and the children in their care as well as modeling healthy coping strategies.

Parents who depend on child-care centers need to know the policies of their center and to keep in mind that those policies are designed to keep disease outbreaks from spreading to all children.

Planning healthy menus to help ensure healthy children.

One way to ensure those things are happening is to plan a surprise visit to your child’s child-care center to observe the conditions. Here are a few things the LSU AgCenter expert says to consider looking for and inquiring about on such a visit.

Children need to spend time outdoors. This article discusses ways to asses the safety of playgrounds for young children.

Child-care environments play an important role in the healthy growth and development of infant and toddlers. Since infants and toddlers spend a large portion of their day in routines such as saying hello or good-bye, getting dressed, diapering, toileting and mealtime, the child-care environment should reflect these important shared learning times. The environment provided for infants and toddlers should be welcoming and responsive to both children and their families.

Biting is a common behavior for children who are one year to two years old – particularly children in group care.

Shopping for quality child care? There are things you can do to become a better consumer of quality child care and at the same time help your children by providing the very best in caregiving.

Directing a child-care program is exhausting, not to mention complicated, so it is paramount that a dedicated, knowledgeable person oversees these operations. This article will explore some of the many qualifications needed to be an effective child care center director.

Toddlers bite because it is a natural part of their growth and development. This article will look at some strategies parents and caregivers alike can implement to prevent biting behavior.

With more and more parents working and the need for child care increasing, parents need to plan carefully for quality child care for their children. You can do many things to become a better consumer of quality child care, according to LSU AgCenter specialist Dr. Becky White.

(Distributed July 2006) Choosing the right kind of child care is one of the most daunting tasks any parent will ever have to do. Countless emotions flood a new mother at the mere thought of letting someone else care for her tiny bundle of joy.

Many families who aren’t quite satisfied with their child care arrangements find August the right time to search for new options, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

Labor laws sometimes are confusing, and there’s no exception in the case of those for operating child-care centers.

Temper tantrums aren’t uncommon in young children. The key for adults is learning how to deal with them, says LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

Early childhood education and quality of child care affect children’s social and cognitive development, and attachment to a caregiver can be a positive factor in that development.

Young children learn from their experiences. That’s why field trips play an important role in the curriculum for young children involved in day care or school.

A supportive, nurturing, inviting environment for preschool age children is extremely important in encouraging them to explore and learn. Children learn through their own experiences of trial and error, repetition and imitation. Adults may encourage learning by ensuring that the classroom or day-care environment is appropriate and supports an array of experiences and choices.

Some 13 million children in the United States live in homes with limited access to a sufficient food supply. A new generation of research demonstrates a direct link between inadequate food supply and a poorer overall health status among U.S. children, according to LSU AgCenter food and nutrition expert Dr. Annrose Guarino.

By following a routine and providing a predictable einvironment, children can feel secure in their child care environment and learn that they can trust their caregivers to meet their needs.

What do you look for in choosing child care? This article provides a checklist to help parents choose child care, considering issues related to quality care for your child.

Building blocks can serve as a major foundation in helping children to learn important skills, says LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe. Gioe explains that child-care and early childhood educational programs most often arrange their classrooms into a series of "learning centers," and she says the area involving blocks is one of the most important.

Literacy activities are an important part of any early childhood curriculum, stresses LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe, who says introducing children to literacy occurs in many ways.

Summer is here, and outdoor play ranks as a favorite activity for most young children. But that means safety also should be a concern for parents and caregivers, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

Terms like "Class A," "Class B" or "NAEYC-accredited" provide you, the consumer, with information regarding a child-care program’s operating credentials.

There are a variety of child-care settings you can choose from – ranging from child-care centers to in-home care.

The Child Care and Development Fund offers services to families and child-care providers throughout Louisiana.

Most injuries to young children in school or child-care environments occur outdoors, so playground safety definitely should be a concern in a child-care setting. Approximately 40 percent of the outdoor injuries to children are due to poor adult supervision," says LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe. "That means supervision is an essential component of playground safety."

Caring for children can be an exciting and rewarding field, but it’s also a huge responsibility, so an LSU AgCenter child-care associate says there are many factors to consider before starting a child-care business.

It’s critical for child-care providers to choose wisely because the right toy can stimulate child development.

Child care may not be what comes to mind when you think of economic development or the state’s major industries, but a recent study by experts from two Louisiana universities shows significant contributions.

Infants and toddlers need environments that are welcoming and responsive.

Child Care Resource and Referral Programs provide free assistance to families who are actively searching for care and need help with making informed decisions about the best care for their children.

Child-care programs have sick child policies in place for the safety and protection of the children they serve.

It is important to ask about all the policies a child-care center may have in place, and if they are fulfilling all requirements mandated by state law.

Nutrition plays an important role in a child’s physical and mental growth, as well as his or her future health, stresses LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

There is no doubt that children are born risk takers, and that risk-taking characteristic is one of the most frightening aspects of their growth and development, because as children are allowed to take risks, accidents and incidents increase, says LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

Programs exist to help families make better decisions about child care, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe. Known as Child Care Resource and Referral Programs, these local agencies provide free assistance to families who are actively searching for care and need help with making informed decisions about the best care for their children, Gioe explains.

To assist in making decisions about quality child care, parents can look for certain personal traits when selecting a caregiver for their child.

Children succeed more when parents are more involved in education.

Early childhood curriculum can involve a variety of activities and specific teaching approach.

Choosing to place your child in the care of someone else while you work often is a decision that comes with a lot of emotion and concern – frequently brought on by unfamiliarity of what happens in the child-care setting.

A look at how early care providers' education levels affect the overall quality of child care.

One of the most important roles parents and caregivers serve is to ensure that the children entrusted to them thrive in healthy and safe environments.

Choosing to place your child in the care of someone else while you work often is a decision that comes with a lot of emotion and concern – frequently brought on by unfamiliarity of what happens in the child-care setting.

Spending time in the landscape with children, especially young ones, requires adults to pay careful attention. Just as you would childproof an indoor room, it’s important to take safety precautions in the yard to keep young ones safe.

Although some early childhood educators still have doubts about the importance of computer use by preschool-age children, the argument really is a moot point, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe, who says the reality is that children are steadily gaining access to computers in homes, child-care centers and schools.

Hurricanes have brought crisis into the living rooms of all Americans. Once again, the trauma of such events has struck at the heart of America. Dealing with natural disasters is difficult enough for all to comprehend. The lives of all will be changed forever. It is incredibly more difficult when young people and children are involved and are the victims.

The LSU AgCenter’s “Be Child Care Aware!” educational program is designed to educate parents and child-care providers about quality childcare. This brochure is filled with tips about getting quality childcare for their children.

Child care is very expensive, but there is some tax relief available to help with that burden.

As children grow and develop so do their opinions about foods – what should be eaten, how to eat it and a host of other issues. The challenge is not to panic or worry as these changes occur.

Some of the most stressful times children experience come when they move from one classroom to another. There are many things parents and caregivers can do to facilitate a smooth move from one classroom to another.

A variety of factors should be considered when parents are attempting to find quality child care for their children. While cost and convenience are important considerations, parents should also consider their children’s ages, abilities, interests and personalities. Beliefs and attitudes about education, training, child guidance, nutrition and health are also major considerations.

Toilet training, which can be frustrating for children, parents and child-care providers, should be viewed as a learning process.

A quality caregiver makes all the difference during the early years of a child’s development, so parents need to look for indications of quality when entrusting their children to others, says LSU AgCenter specialist Dr. Becky White.

A variety of factors should be considered when parents are attempting to find quality child care for their offspring.

An increasing body of research shows that quality child-care and educational programs early in a child’s life has a profound impact on their development.

Conflict is going to occur in any relationship – particularly those involving the care of children. The important thing is resolving conflicts in a healthy manner.

Early care and education programs should offer a multicultural curriculum.

Four environmental rating scales are in use now: (1) Early Childhood Environment, (2) Infant and Toddler Environment, (3) Family Day Care Environment and (4) School-Age Care Environment. (PDF Format Only)

One of the most important decisions you have to make as a parent is choosing a child care program. This checklist can assist you in comparing child care options to make the best choice for you and your child. (PDF Format Only)

Use this state map to locate your contact for assistance or training. (PDF Format Only)

5 Things Parents Can Do to Ensure Quality Care for Their Child (PDF Format Ony)

Do you need help paying your child care? The Louisiana Department of Social Services’ Child Care Assistance Program administers services for families eligible for child care assistance in the state. Information on how to apply included. (PDF Format Only)

Finding just the right child care setting for your child can prove to be a difficult task. Being informed can help make your decision a little easier. (PDF Format Only)

A message board for childcare providers and families seeking childcare.

Many children and young adults sustained both physical and emotional injuries from tragedies associated with the recent storm and the days that followed. It’s important to help them cope with those issues, says LSU AgCenter family development specialist Dr. Diane Sasser.

One of the indicators of quality child care is the educational level of caregivers. Unfortunately, Louisiana child caregivers rank as some of the least-educated providers in the nation, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

One of the indicators of quality child care is the educational level of caregivers. Unfortunately, Louisiana child caregivers rank as some of the least-educated providers in the nation, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

Children's reactions to disaster depend on their age and maturity. Their responses also are affected by how close they are to the event, their level of exposure to it through TV and how they see their parents react.

Although children, as well as adults, cope with stress every day, disasters, such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, often are somewhat different.

Hundreds of organizations around the country will celebrate the Week of the Young Child April 3-9, 2005.

Child care is very expensive, but there is some tax relief available to help with that burden, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

The Louisiana Department of Social Services offers a variety of programs designed to help children and families – particularly in the area of ensuring quality child care is available.

Parents and grandparents often face the challenge of deciding what toys are appropriate for their children or grandchildren. The same thing is true of child-care providers seeking new toys for their child-care centers.

An increasing body of research shows that quality child-care and educational programs early in a child’s life has a profound impact on their development, says LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

Policies that exclude sick children from child-care centers may seem like a hassle to a working parent with a sick child, but those policies are put in place to protect other children, says LSU AgCenter expert Cheri Gioe.

Are you in the market for child care? Do you want to find just the right setting for your child, but you don't know enough about the all options to choose one? It may be time for some expert advice.