Mommy's Helper - Childcare - Getting Back to Normal

Children can become overexcited and stressed during the holidays. Parents and child care providers need to realize that even good times can cause stress. It is important for adults to help children get back to normal after holiday times are over.

Here are some ways to help:

*Keep schedules as regular as possible. Children do better when they know what to expect from daily routines.

*Have active play times every day.

*Activities such as playing with clay or play dough, finger painting, paper ripping, and drawing can help reduce stress.

*Some cooking activities for children include beating eggs with an egg beater, tearing lettuce for a salad, stirring ingredients for a batter, and kneading bread dough.

*Have a quiet time or naptime each day.

*Set aside a private area for a child to be alone when necessary. Some ideas for private spaces include a large cardboard carton with one side cut off, a pile of pillows or cushions placed in a quiet corner, a small table with one chair, or a sheet or blanket draped over three sides of a table.

*Sand and water play help calm a child.

*Give choices for things to do when appropriate.

*Praise a child for something well done.

The Penn State University Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program has information on children's issues for early childhood educators, child care providers, and parents on the Better Kid Care web site

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Nancy Wilson, Better Kid Care Program Assistant Penn State Better Kid Care Program 253 Easterly Parkway State College, PA 16801 e-mail: naw6@psu.edu Phone: 814-863-5880 Fax: 814-865-7893