Home > Family & Home > Family > . Why is Literacy Important? [Image: Reading to baby] This article describes the importance of reading to your baby and child. Collaboration with the Junior League of Baton Rouge [Image: Junior League of Baton Rouge] The LSU AgCenter will be partnering with the Junior League of Baton Rouge for a second year to educate and motivate new parents in their role as their baby’s first and most important teacher. Manage post-hurricane stress (Distributed 09/07/08) You probably can’t avoid the stress coming in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, but you can manage it, says LSU AgCenter family and consumer sciences specialist Becky White. Prepare an evacuation to-go kit for your child (Distributed 08/29/08) Adults are urged to assemble a “grab-and-go” box of important papers in case of a hurricane evacuation. How about making a “to-go kit” for your child? Assembling a few treasured items can help your child in times of disaster, according to LSU AgCenter family development professor Dr. Rebecca White.  more articles... Strategies for Helping Youth Cope with Reminders of Disaster [Image: Memorial] After any disaster, children are most afraid that the event will recur, that they or someone they love will be hurt or killed, that they may be separated from those they love and be left alone. Here are strategies to help caregivers help affected children. Infants, Toddlers Need Environment That’s Welcoming, Responsive [Image: Caregiver reading] Infants and toddlers need child care environments that are welcoming and responsive. Changing Classes Can Be Stressful For Children [Image: Adult comforting child] Some of the most stressful times children experience come when they move from one classroom to another. There are many things parents and caregivers can do to facilitate a smooth move from one classroom to another. Child Safety in the Garden [Image: Girl in Garden] 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. Daily Routines Offer Children Security [Image: Table activites for children] 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. Be Child Care Aware: Arm Yourself With Skills To Tackle Terrible Tantrums 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. Outdoor Play Provides Rich Environment For Learning [Image: Playground] Outdoor playground areas for children are important to consider when choosing a child-care facility. It is just as important to visit the outside spaces as it is to tour the classrooms. Playing outdoors provides the opportunity for young children to use and develop their large muscles and cognitive abilities. Appropriate Environments Ensure Safe, Healthy Children [Image: girl] 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. Infants, Toddlers Need Welcoming, Responsive Environment [Image: caregiver with toddlers] 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. Keeping Sick Children Out Of Child-care Centers Protects Others [Image: Checking for fever] Child care and preventing sickness. 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. Click for more information...