Keys To Care Giving

PHYSICAL NEEDS

Keep children safe

Keep children warm

Provide adequate rest

Keep children clean

Keep children fed

Keep Children Safe

Keep in a safe environment. Think ahead…what dangers are lurking? Remember the 6 points of danger:

Choking Sharp Objects Automobiles Burns Drowning Poisoning

Keep Children Safe

Tell a grown up if you suspect child abuse.

The following numbers can also be used: 1-800-678-9399 1-800-422-4453

Keep Children Warm

Kids don’t need to be a lot warmer than you.

Cover with a light blanket when weather is slightly cool.

In cold weather, protect their head, hands and feet. Keep them covered.

Provide Adequate Rest

Infants sleep 20 out of 24 hours when they are newborn.

Older infants usually need 2 naps a day.

Toddlers usually need one nap a day.

It is the responsibility of the caregiver to ensure that kids get enough sleep.

Keep Children Clean

Children should be taught to wash hands often, especially before eating and after using the rest room.

It has been shown that poor dental health can even contribute to heart disease.

Children may need to be encouraged to take a bath or shower.

Keep Children Fed

Small children have small stomachs, and they cannot eat a large amount of food at one time.

For that reason, we need to ensure that kids eat healthy food.

They need food from all parts of the food pyramid.

Don’t let food be a battleground. Some kids are very picky when young, but they outgrow it.

EMOTIONAL NEEDS

Avoid fearful situations. Provide praise and assurance. Keep calm. Build self-esteem. Give love and attention

Avoid Fearful Situations

Movies Books or stories Halloween haunted

houses When an adult is out of

control Never discount a child’s

fear. It is real to them. Can use air freshener

“monster spray”.

Provide Praise and Assurance

Praise is genuine; kids can tell when we are faking it.

Praise them about things they DO well rather than how they LOOK.

Assurance means letting them know they are safe and you will take care of them.

Keep Calm

It is scary to children when the person in charge is out of control and is yelling, etc…

If you need a time out, take one.

It is okay to put an infant in a safe place like a crib and let them cry until you calm down.

Build Self-Esteem

Give children opportunities to do well at something.

Never use labeling or name calling.

Tell children when they do something right or good.

I don’t like being called

names!

Give Love and Attention

Physical touch such as holding babies, cuddling them, kissing them is important.

Children in European orphanages during WWII suffered from failure-to-thrive syndrome.

Had physical needs met. Didn’t have enough touching and attention Didn’t grow and develop normally.

GUIDANCE NEEDS

Use directive statements. Use discipline prevention methods. Provide learning activities in a learning environment. Discipline with love.

USE DIRECTIVE STATEMENTS

These work better than corrective statements.

Tell the child what you want them to do instead of “don’t” or “no”.

Example: “Close the door quietly” instead of “Don’t slam the door!”

USE DISCIPLINE PREVENTION METHODS.

Anticipate possible problems ahead of time. If you have permanent markers with a 2 year old, you may have a

problem! Provide clear expectations and rules. Be consistent in the way you deal with children. Don’t say one

thing and do another.

DISCIPLINE WITH LOVE

Tell the child you love him/her but do not like what he/she did.

Do not spank, hit or slap a child.

PROVIDE LEARNING ACTIVITIES IN A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Turn off the TV, video games and computer! Small children do not need to watch TV. There are other educational games besides computer games

and electronic toys. Use books, puzzles, outdoor play, dress-ups, etc… Children learn by doing.

DISCIPLINE TECHNIQUES

Divert the child’s attention. Physically help the child do what you want

him/her to do. Start a new physical activity. Use a “time out” period. Don’t give a choice if there isn’t one. Give a warning when an activity is about to

change.

DIVERT THE CHILD’S ATTENTION

Draw the child’s attention to a new toy or activity.

Their short attention span will help them forget what they were upset about.

PHYSICALLY HELP THE CHILD DO WHAT YOU WANT

Sometimes you will need to hold the child’s hand and help them pick up their toys or do another job.

This does not mean you can be physically rough or mean.

START A NEW PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Change is good…. If kids are fighting, change from a quiet activity to

one that is active or vice-versa. “Let’s finish our game and go outside to ride bikes!” Let’s stop playing basketball and go do a puzzle.

USE A TIME OUT PERIOD

The purpose is to let the child regain control of emotions and actions.

Should be short…one minute for every year they are old.

Need to remove them from others and whatever activity prompted the misbehavior.

DON’T GIVE A CHOICE IF THERE ISN’T ONE

Don’t ask a question during a command. Do you want to go to bed? It is time for bed, okay? The correct way is to say, “It is bed time.”

Do give choices between two things that are acceptable to you. “Do you want macaroni and cheese or

sandwiches for lunch?” Do you want to play legos or read a story?

GIVE A WARNING AT THE CHANGE OF ACTIVITIES

No one likes to be yanked out of something they are enjoying.

Tell them they are about to change. “In five minutes you need to get ready

for bed.” “Three times down the slide, and we

have to go home.”

This solves many tantrums and arguments. It lets kids know what is going to happen. A warning is like a

“yellow light”.

CREDITS

The previous information was taken from the Family and Consumer Science TLC curriculum.