Early Childhood Care and Education

Raising children is a rewarding, though sometimes challenging endeavor that requires time, energy, and care. Right from the beginning, parents are constantly trying to find ways to help their children make healthy life choices.

On this page, find comprehensive information on children and families, including topics such as childcare, bullying, child nutrition, food allergies, hygiene, and more. In addition, access programs such as Better Kid Care, Visits with You and Your Baby, and the ABCs of Growing Healthy Kids.

Children's Health and Development

A child’s development is influenced by a number of factors, including health, eating habits, cognitive stimulation, and physical activity. How a child moves, learns, acts, and speaks are all important clues about their development.

As kids grow, they acquire certain behavioral and physical skills. These skills, also known as developmental milestones, are different for each age range. For instance, a two-month-old infant might be able to smile and recognize different people, while a ten-month-old might be ready to climb onto things and understand simple sentences.

Though every child develops at their own pace, these milestones can give parents and caregivers a general idea of the changes they can expect at each age.

Penn State Extension offers online professional development in curriculum areas such as child growth and development, learning experiences, and health and safety. The Better Kid Care program is specially designed for early care, education, and youth development professionals.

Child Nutrition

A healthy, balanced diet provides kids with the nutrients and energy needed to grow and develop.

A healthy diet for kids should consist of nutrients like good fats, protein, whole-grain carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Whether a child is a picky eater or has a selective diet (e.g. vegetarianism), it’s advised to aim for three meals a day and two healthy snacks.

Parents can encourage healthy habits by offering a variety of foods, cooking with their kids, and having family mealtimes.

Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten is the first step towards a child’s formal education and broader social experience. Naturally, parents and caregivers want to make sure their children are ready to start off this new adventure on the right foot.

To ensure a smoother transition to a school setting, parents should focus on helping children build a strong learning foundation. Engaging in hands-on learning through enriching activities can help children grow their cognitive, learning, emotional, and gross motor skills.

Learn how to ensure your preschooler is ready for kindergarten with Penn State Extension’s Kindergarten Readiness video series.

Preparing for School

Starting school is a major milestone in a kid’s life. During school age, support from parents is essential in helping children adapt and do well academically.

Parents and caregivers should try and encourage kids to think independently and help them find ways to handle peer problems. Issues such as child bullying at school should be addressed by parents, students, and educators altogether.

Maintaining a healthy diet and sleeping schedule plays a key role in a child’s school performance as well. A balanced breakfast – together with a nutritious school lunch – improves children’s cognitive function, provides energy for a long period, and helps sustain their attention level. Similarly, a good night’s sleep benefits memory and attention in the classroom and reduces the chances of adverse emotional and cognitive effects.

Parenting Teens

Adolescence is a confusing time for many kids. It is the time for them to understand who they are, achieve emotional independence, and explore their relationship with the world around them. Often this is also a period when meeting the needs of teens takes its toll on parents and family.

To help their teens grow into healthy and emotionally mature people, parents should provide a safe environment for their children to express their needs and emotions. At the same time, establishing ground rules and clear guidelines to encourage teens to make healthier choices are also necessary.

In this section, find further information on parenting and childcare and discover educational re