toy safety checklist

The world of toys can be so inviting. Pretty colors, shapes, imaginative and creative objects. Infants and small children need very little to spark their imaginations, though so it's important not to bombard them with too much, too many or items that are too complicated.

And don't forget the safety aspect. Be sure you pay attention to some of the following:

* All toys are painted with lead-free paint
* Toys are put away when not in use
* No sharp edges or points, small parts, pinch points, chipped paint, splinters or
loose nuts and bolts
* Toys are too large to fit completely into a child's mouth, no small detachable
parts to cause choking. No coins, pins, marbles for 4 years and under
* No shooting or projectile toys
* Toy chests have air holes and a lid support or no lid
* Rugs, curtains, pillows, blankets and cloth toys are flame resistant (this is
controversial due to the chemicals involved that touch skin)

There are more cautions to be aware of, so if you have some to add to our list please make a comment at the bottom of this entry. And let's just keep it simple as that's what kids seems to like best anyway.

Take care,

Cheryl

Yale University!

I just returned from a child development conference held at Yale in New Haven. I love visiting the East Coast, especially in summer as it's still so green and lush and the atmosphere is still, full of humidity and just so different from where I live.

But this was a trip much richer than I expected. I attended a conference by the Zigler Child Development Center which is the research and policy making department at Yale. Professor Edward Zigler has been doing this work for fifty years, trying to see to it that children get taken care of properly at school, home and in our diverse culture in general. He's one of the founders of Headstart, but more importantly a proponent of the development and education of the "whole" child". He helped the state of Arkansas mandate family resource centers in all of its schools.

One the workshops I attended was given by a professor at the University whose research is based solely on the emotional intelligence of children and how to best develop it. How refreshing is that as opposed to "No Child Left Behind", a very failed program at best.

I took a tour of the campus itself one afternoon and found out incredible things about the University.
* Yale will cover any tuition costs a student who is accepted can't cover
* Yale faculty is 1 prof to 7 students except in Engineering it's 1/1
* They just spent $500 million on the science programs
* The U will financially support any sort of club a student wants to create
* Students are encouraged to design their own program for degrees
* Yale will pay for off campus studies such as travel in other states or countries
* Professors, even in research, must teach classes and hold office hours

And many other amazing things that encourage students to learn. It was absolutely inspiring..........More later,
Take care,

Cheryl