Cooperative Extension: Parenting & Family Caregiving

Go Green for Kids!

Go Green for Kids! is a great resource from Penn State University for children to learn about reduce, reuse and recycle.

Penn State’s Better Kid Care and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)  Programs are teaming up to bring you “Go Green for Kids,” a monthly tip to help you provide a healthier and safer environment for the children in your care. IPM works to promote healthy alternatives for pest management to lower children’s exposure to both pests and pesticides through a variety of educational programs. Resources for children, teachers, and parents are available on the IPM website. This month’s focus is on…recycling.

Ticks in Maine

As the warm weather approaches and were outside more, we need to be aware of ticks that live in the Maine woods.  The University of Maine Cooperative has a fact sheet that will help you identify a tick if you happen to see one on yourself or your pet.

Developmental Milestones: When Will My Baby Walk?

Extension.org  has a great resource with information on when children start walking as well as parenting tips for your 9 month old baby.  The information also describes different factors regarding the timeline on when they should start walking.

Bullying and Cyberbullying Information

Because Bullying and Cyberbully are increasingly becoming a problem in schools. There is a new and updated Bullying and Cyberbullying website offered by the Department of Education.   The Procedures section provides many resources and tools for gathering data, reporting, investigation and responding to incidents of bullying.

Newspaper Posts UMaine Video on Children, Violence

The Bangor Daily News has posted on its website a video with University of Maine Cooperative Extension child and family development specialist Leslie Forstadt discussing how parents might address violence such as the mass shooting of schoolchildren and adults in Newtown, Conn.

Military Families Apart During the Holidays

Holidays can be a wonderful time for families to gather and celebrate. But for families experiencing a military separation, the holidays can be stressful.

Zero To Three has a great publication for coping ideas for military families during the holidays.

Lead Hazards in Some Holiday Toys

The holiday season is here, and that means many children will be given toys as gifts. While new toys are a holiday tradition, parents should be aware of potential lead hazards associated with toys, including toy jewelry. The Centers for Disease Control has some useful information on how to be safe this holiday season.

Image Description: child playing with toys

Gift Giving and Overindulgence

With the holiday season approaching, UMaine Extension has a great video on Gift Giving and Overindulgence. This video also has some great ideas on alternatives for gifts by using family time and making memories that will last a lifetime.

Family Safety During Storms

With hurricane Sandy approaching, listed below are resources to help you prepare for the storm.  You should have a disaster supply kit ready and plenty of water.  If your power should go out, it is good to be prepared ahead of time.

Basic Disaster Supplies List

Maine Emergency Management Agency

Federal Emergency Management Agency

If your power should be out for an extended period of time please visit the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website to watch a video on How to Keep Food Safe After a Power Outage.

Halloween Health and Safety Tips

Halloween is almost upon us and can be an exciting time for children.  To be sure children are safe while out trick-or-treating listed below are some safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control with helping you have a safe Halloween.

Be safe this Halloween and have fun!

Image Description: Kids trick or treating