Some children are more sensitive to scary stories in the news or may worry about their safety and the safety of their loved ones. Malisa Rader, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, suggests parents be reassuring, monitor their TV viewing when children are present and watch for signs of stress in their children.
April showers bring May flowers, according to common songs, poems and nursery rhymes. “However, April showers also bring fun-filled puddles, squishy mud, earth worms and a host of other rich outdoor learning experiences for children,” says Cindy Thompson, human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Iowa State University is working to ensure that child care centers and homes, preschools, and after-school programs across the state are healthy and safe for all children. An online course developed by Human Sciences Extension and Outreach has provided training to 23,640 Iowa child care providers and early childhood teachers since September 2016.
By creating morning and bedtime routines, parents can harness the enthusiasm and tackle any concerns their children may have about going to school and can prepare them for a positive educational experience, says Kim Brantner, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
The quality of care that children receive between birth and age five sets the stage for the rest of their lives. With that in mind, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers professional development for child care providers.
Iowa’s nearly 350 school districts serving 500,000 students can more easily expand efforts that connect children to locally sourced foods through a partnership between Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and a national network of farm to school resources and practitioners.
Although the holidays can be a season of giving, sometimes the focus shifts to a season of getting, or so it may seem from a child’s perspective. Mackenzie Johnson, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, offers tips for parents on how to avoid overindulging their children.
Media, parents and child care providers play an important role in forming money habits in children. So give those preschoolers some pennies and start talking about money! That’s the advice of Sandra McKinnon, with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
When children don’t have time for household chores, it’s time to reevaluate their busy schedules, say the Science of Parenting bloggers from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
According to the Administration for Children and Families, more than 7,000 Iowa children under age 6 are experiencing homelessness.
