UNH Cooperative Extension - Family - Parent - Parenting

Parenting - Pre-School Children

image of pre-school child with pencil and paper Programs:

Family Focus: Parenting the Young Child - This program is designed for parents of preschool children. UNH Cooperative Extension's Family & Consumer Resources educators or Family Focus parent educators deliver the program in communities. Parents and guardians learn about the development of the young child, positive discipline techniques to use with preschoolers, effective communication techniques, and stress management. Call your county UNH Cooperative Extension office for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What types of child care exist out there for parents of young children?

ANS: There are 3 main types of care. There's in-home care where you hire a provider to come into your home to care for your children. This type of care is usually expensive, but may be economical if you have 3 or more children who need care. The next type is family day care, or care provided in the home of another person. This person may be a friend or relative, or a person who is licensed by the state to care for children in his or her home. The third major type of care is center-based care - care provided in a facility, usually with many children and early childhood teachers.
How do parents go about finding care for their children?

ANS: First, find out the names of people or facilities. Ask friends, relatives, and neighbors. Look for flyers advertising childcare services at super markets, churches, and other locations in the community. Look under childcare in the local phone book and look in the newspaper. The next step is to call the family childcare provider or the director of a child care center. You can save time by calling and gain a great deal of information. For example, you can find out if there is space for a child the age of yours. You can find out how many children are enrolled, how many children are cared for by one teacher or provider, the hours of operation, if the facility is licensed, the fees, and references. When you've narrowed your choices, then it's very important to visit the center or family home. It's really impossible to determine the quality of care unless you spend time in the facility. If a provider or director is reluctant to have you visit for an hour or two, that should be a red flag for you.
How can parents tell if a childcare home or center is providing high quality care for children?

ANS: One thing parents can ask a director is if the staff is credentialed. In other words are they receiving staff training and is the training recognized by the state of NH. NH has 5 credentials with 4 levels in each credential. So, people just beginning to care for children to those with years of experience and anadvanced degree can receive a credential. Also, try to visit the child care program and spend an hour or two. Try to go without your child so you won't be distracted. During your visit, you can look at the supplies, toys, and equipment, the nutritional value of food served to children, safety features in the classrooms or home and on the playground, the type of discipline used by the providers, and the interactions between providers and children. Remember that you're really looking for indicators of quality.
How do parents introduce their toddlers and preschoolers to computers?

ANS: Whether we use technology with young children--and if so, how-are critical issues facing early childhood educators and parents. Learn more at KidSource Online.

Publications:

Links:

Family Home & Garden Education Center

Other Sites

Parenting - Pre-School Children