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

Television, movies, video games all increasingly vie for our children's time. But they rarely allow children the luxury of burning some of their pent-up energy. Parents can make a big difference in the amount of physical activity children experience.

We all have days when we feel anxious or “stressed out.” On days like that, it’s good for you to take some time out for yourself. Use these suggestions to de-stress.

How do I decide if I want shared parenting? What is Included in a shared parenting arrangement? Find these answers and more.

When parents divorce, they experience money changes that affect them emotionally, socially and financially. Use these tips to make the best of your financial situation and avoid costly errors as you move forward after divorce.

As you and your child join the 4-H program, you’ll want to make the most of the experience. The success of your 4-H club and the kind of experience your child depends greatly upon your parental involvement. 4-H has so much to offer your child through educational programs, contests and special events. Through active participation in 4-H, your child will develop skills that will last a lifetime.

Parents can help their children experience school success by fostering social and emotional maturity, language skills, creative thinking skills, good health, problem-solving abilities and a general knowledge of the world.

Want tips on parenting? Contact your parish office of the LSU AgCenter

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.

Two key qualities of strong families are that they spend positive time together and share fun and laughter. What better way to combine these qualities than by playing with your children?

Parents can help children prepare for kindergarten by taking several actions before the first school bell rings.

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.

Think you have fear of the unknown? Some of the most stressful times for children are moving from one classroom to another, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

A key to children doing well in school is for parents to be involved in their education. That involvement can take many forms ranging from providing meaningful learning experiences at home to volunteering at school activities.

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.

Click image on the right to read a cute story that teaches preschoolers about trustworthiness.

It happens often when children receive a gift. The youngsters often are happier playing with the box than the present. Although amused at first, the gift-givers may soon suspect that their money was ill-spent.

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.

A spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down, but it could take a little more for the homework to get done, according to the experts. LSU AgCenter associate Cheri Gioe says looking at the rewards and benefits can make homework time more productive.

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.

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.

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.

A combination of qualities and skills is required for children to be ready for school. These qualities and skills include social and emotional maturity, language skills, good health and physical well-being, problem-solving abilities, creative thinking skills and general knowledge about the world.

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.

Please use this form to order materials for Character Critters.

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.

After the passage of federal welfare reform legislation in 1996, faculty from land-grant universities organized to conduct a study of the legislation’s impact on rural families. The project began in 1998 and runs through 2008. The intent was to provide policymakers and program directors with up-to-date information about the ability of rural, low-income families to be economically self sufficient. The objectives of this project are included in this publication. (PDF Format Only)

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.

The LSU AgCenter has developed a resource that parents and teachers can use with young children to teach them about good character. The resource features six cute critters and the lessons they learn about personal character.

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.

Teachers are an important influence on young children. The children in your classroom will learn by the example you set for them. This means that the ways you are respectful of others will influence the ways the children are respectful of others.

Teachers are an important influence on young children. The children in your class will learn by the example you set for them. If your children see you being responsible, they will want to act responsibly, too.

Young children are very impressionable, and teachers are an important influence on young children. One way you can help children learn to be fair is by example. If the children see you following rules, sharing, listening to others and not placing blame, they will be likely to follow your example.

Teachers are an important influence on young children. The children in your class will learn by the example you set for them. If your children see you acting in a caring way, they will want to act in a caring way, too.

Being a good citizen is something adults may do every day. Adults might practice good citizenship by: obeying traffic laws, paying taxes, helping a neighbor, volunteering or recycling. The children in your class will develop good citizenship habits by following your good citizenship practices.

Young children are very impressionable, and you are the most important teacher your child will ever have. One way you can help your child learn to be fair is by example. If your child sees you following rules, sharing with your family, listening to others and not placing blame, he or she will be likely to follow your example.

You are the most important teacher your child will ever have. Your children will learn by the example you set for them. If your children see you acting in a caring way, they will want to act in a caring way, too.

Being a good citizen is something adults may do every day. Adults might practice good citizenship by: obeying traffic laws, paying taxes, helping a neighbor, volunteering or recycling. Your child will develop good citizenship habits by following your good citizenship practices.

Click image on right to read a cute story that teaches preschoolers about responsibility.

Click on image on the right to read a cute story that teaches preschoolers about respect.

When you think about teaching your children to be trustworthy, you must remember it does not happen overnight. Instead, it is something you should model for your children every day because you are the most important teacher your child will ever have.

You are the most important teacher your child will ever have. Your children will learn by the example you set for them. If your children see you being responsible, they will want to act responsibly, too.

Click image on the right to read a cute story that teaches preschoolers about caring.

Many believe that providing character education for all our children at home, in school and in our communities can help our nation. In keeping with this growing recognition that character education is critically needed for our young children and youth, Character Critters was developed by the LSU AgCenter for preschool and kindergarten children.

You are the most important teacher your child will ever have. Your children will learn by the example you set for them. This means that the ways that you are respectful of others will influence the ways your child is respectful of others.

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.

“You got some bones to get some kicks.” “Backup your grill, you got the dragon.” “Boo, let’s go flossin.” Do these phrases seem like a foreign language? If you answered yes to this question, get the lowdown on teen lingo.

A characteristic of strong families is that they spend time together. While challenging, family members need to purposefully plan on ways to share good times and build strong bonds. Suggestions are provided on quality family activities.

Click image on the right to read a cute story that teaches preschoolers about citizenship.

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.

Working families may pay anywhere from 10 percent to 15 percent of their total family income on child care, and experts say the cost frequently is related to the quality of services you and your children receive.

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.

Click the image on the right to read a cute story to your child that teaches preschool children about fairness.

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.

When you think about teaching your children to be trustworthy, you must remember that it does not happen overnight. Instead, it is something you should model for your children every day because teachers are an important influence on young children.

Take advantage of the fact that this year Valentine’s Day occurs a couple of weeks before Mardi Gras and share your heart with others. That’s the advice of LSU AgCenter family resource management specialist Dr. Karen Overstreet.

Responsibility often is difficult to develop in children. Youngsters must have some inherent sense of responsibility before the trait can be more fully developed.

There are both commonalities and unique features in every disaster as it affects families. This handout uses the research on children affected by political violence as a guide to outline how children may be impacted by Hurricane Katrina and to provide recommendations to support children and families.

(TV News, 12/24/07)The LSU AgCenter is helping parents prepare their children for success in school through a family literacy program called the Little Bookshelf. (Runtime: 1 minute, 39 seconds)

If you are looking for ways to spend quality time with your family during the holiday season, volunteering together can be beneficial to your family as well as someone in need, says LSU AgCenter family resource management expert Dr. Karen Overstreet. But the holidays aren’t the only time you can take part in such activities, Overstreet points out, saying community groups also need volunteers and donations all year long to perform worthwhile services in your area.

Books make great holiday gifts for your preschooler. They can be fun and engage your child’s developing mind.

This guide discusses the common physical, mental, social and emotional characteristics for high school youth. Keep in mind that no two children develop according to the same schedule and the transitions are gradual. By accepting youth at their current developmental stage and offering challenging growth opportunities to help them make the transition into the next stage.

(Distributed 12/18/06) When children help prepare holiday meals, they can develop a healthy self-concept and an appreciation for food safety.

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.

(Distributed 11/13/07) What are your fondest memories of Thanksgiving? What do you want your children and grandchildren to remember – Traditions? Giving? Togetherness?

(Distributed 11/09/07) If your Thanksgiving is steeped in family traditions, the occasion can be a difficult one should circumstances change and those traditions are lost.

(Distributed 11/06/07) Thanksgiving offers families an opportunity to reflect on their many blessings. Youth, however, often take their blessings for granted. How can parents and educators teach young people an attitude of gratitude?

For both parents and children, visitation is critical to maintaining a sense of connectedness both during and after a divorce. Tips for smooth visitations, constructive parenting goals and a list of visitation do's and don'ts.

Active listening means paying careful attention to what others are saying. Follow these steps to improve active listening skills.

Marital separation and divorce can be two of the most difficult events in an adult’s life. Follow these tips to help you cope.

Marriage is a financial partnership. Divorce means more than separating a family physically. It also means separating a family financially. Suggestions for preparing for financial separation, dividing property, dealing with debt and dividing assets and property are included.

Time is a rare commodity. Most busy families never seem to have enough of it. Here are some suggestions to help you spend time with your children while waiting.

Although children are certainly important, they can’t substitute for relationships with other adults. Everyone, including single parents, needs and benefits from having a circle of close friends. Ten important tips for parents included.

Research indicates that quality caregiving is directly related to the education that a caregiver receives. The Louisiana Pathways Child-Care Career Development System is a statewide training registry database for participants, a trainer certification system for trainers, career "ladders" for caregivers and child-care administrators and scholarships to help child-care professionals achieve their career goals.

Accessibility to computers has provided children with resources for homework or for hobbies and other interests. Parents should be aware of the capabilities and the potential for problems when children use the Internet as a resource.

Information on stress and parenting, feeling good about yourself, taking control and taking care of yourself.

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.

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.

Some of the most stressful times children experience come when they move from one classroom to another, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

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.

Planning healthy menus to help ensure healthy children.

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.

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.

Tips for eating right and exercising for families.

Federal programs such as the Child and Adult Care Food Program and WIC assist families in receiving nutritious meals for their children.

Many families across the state and across the nation face the stressful situation of houseguests who still can’t go home because of devastation from thisi summer's hurricanes. All of them need to make sure they appropriately deal with the stress brought on by such situations, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

Moving to a new home is stressful under the best of circumstances, but many Gulf Coast families have made one or more moves this year because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Such events can take an emotional toll on families and particularly on children, says LSU AgCenter family life 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.

Keeping the family operating smoothly, particularly during these trying times following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, requires a lot of effort. Each of us, though, can contribute to keep the family strong.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have shown how strong Louisiana families can be. Parents and children faced with strains on time, money and emotions found ways to remain strong, healthy and happy.

Hurricane victims will be faced with the question this Thanksgiving, "What are you thankful for?" and some will find this question difficult to answer. The holiday will be a reminder of what’s been lost in floods and devastating winds.

Trying times, like these after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, can test family and community resiliency. Having our families and communities around us for support can go a long way in helping recover from disaster, emotionally as well as physically.

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.

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.

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.

(Distributed 06/01/01) Health is more than just the absence of illness, according to an LSU AgCenter family development authority. Mental and spiritual health account for much of our quality of life, says family development expert Raye Neely.