Sickness and Health - Making the Most of Home Visits

Why do caregivers want or need to make home visits? Home visits can provide an opportunity to talk with parents and observe the child in an uninterrupted and comfortable environment. This allows the caregiver to better understand the child's unique strengths and needs. A home visit may also be indicated if a child is absent for several days.

What are ways to make a home visit more successful? Schedule the visit at a convenient time for parents; recognize the child's progress and encourage parent involvement; respect the family's home and culture; be prepared and organized with necessary information and materials.

What are topics or issues to discuss during a home visit? Acknowledge the child's progress and strengths. Ask parents what they want the child to accomplish and discuss how that can occur. This may also be a time for parents and caregivers to share resources.

Safety - Can a Woodworking Center be Safe?

What should be considered to make woodworking activities safer? Consider children's developmental levels and skills, select proper tools and materials, follow safety guidelines, and supervise closely!

What type of wood should be used? Choose soft wood, such as pine, basswood, or spruce.

What type activities are appropriate? Choose activities based on the child's age, developmental level, and skills. For example, toddlers can stack/unstack wood pieces, use measuring devices, or pound on a toy cobbler's bench. With supervision, a five year old child may be able to pound nails into soft wood, and glue or nail pieces of wood together.

How should tools be stored? Each tools should have it's proper storage space rather than just tossed into a tool box. A "tool board" can be made by drawing the outline of each tool on a pegboard. Children and caregivers can easily see where each tool is stored.

Nutrition - New Eating Right Food Pyramid:

What is the Food Pyramid for Young Children? It is a simple visual guide to the kinds of food to choose every day for good nutrition.

How is this new Pyramid different? The colors are brighter and bolder; it includes pictures of active children to encourage physical activity; foods pictured are those commonly eaten by young children today; food groups have shorter, simpler names.

How do I know how much of each food to serve? The Pyramid shows the number of servings from each food group. Remember, two- and three-year old children need the same number of servings as four- to six-year old children, but the servings may be smaller.

Medicine Chest - Basic Exercises for Babies:

Do infants need specific toys, flashcards, or music to develop? No. The best way to help a child develop is to provide time and personal attention, touching, face-to-face contact, communication, and love.

How can I promote walking skills? Support a child upright to encourage balance and strength development; provide a clean, safe floor and allow child to explore freely; and avoid using "walkers."

What are some games and exercises to encourage mental development? Cooing and babbling with an infant helps him develop verbal interaction; "peek-a-boo" games stimulates communication and helps the infant realize that after people disappear, they can come back.

Staff Health - Sun Safety:

What are some risk factors for skin cancer? Family history of skin cancer; physical characteristics such as fair skin, light blue eyes, and blond or red hair; and exposure to the sun.

What is the most common cause of skin cancer? Over exposure to UV rays. The sun's UV rays are more intense during the middle of the day, near the equator, and in the mountains.

How can I avoid over exposure? Limit your time in the sun, especially during mid-day; wear cover-up clothing, including hats and sunglasses; and use sun screen.