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Child care prices promote the highest possible quality of care and education for your child. My years of experience and level of education are also reflected by the prices for child care.

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Nutrition For Children | NutritionFacts.org

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The latest research on optimal nutrition for children. Learn more in our easy to understand videos.

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Food Safety Concerns for Children Under Five | FoodSafety.gov

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Food Safety Concerns for Children Under Five

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Few kids would say they crave a good fiber-rich meal. Although the thought of fiber might bring gags and groans from kids, many appetizing foods are actually great sources of fiber - from fruits to whole-grain cereals.

Foods with fiber are not just for the senior-citizen crowd. They're beneficial to everyone because they're filling, which helps discourage overeating - even though fiber itself adds no calories. Along with adequate fluid intake, fiber helps move food through the digestive system and can help relieve and prevent constipation. It also may lower LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) and help prevent diabetes and heart disease.

Figuring Out Fiber

Dietary fiber is found in plant foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains. In packaged foods, the amount of fiber per serving is listed on food labels under total carbohydrates.

Some of the best fiber sources are:

whole-grain breads and cereals

apples

oranges

bananas

berries

prunes

pears

green peas

legumes (dried beans, split peas, lentils, etc.)

artichokes

almonds

A high-fiber food has 5 grams or more of fiber per serving; a good source of fiber is one that provides 2.5 to 4.9 grams per serving. Here's how some fiber-friendly foods stack up:

½ cup (118 milliliters) of cooked beans (kidney, white, black, pinto, lima) (6.2-9.6 grams of fiber)

1 medium baked sweet potato with peel (3.8 grams)

1 whole-wheat English muffin (4.4 grams)

½ cup (118 milliliters) of cooked green peas (4.4 grams)

1 medium pear with skin (5.5 grams)

½ cup (118 milliliters) of raspberries (4 grams)

1 medium baked potato with skin (3 grams)

1/3 cup (79 milliliters) of bran cereal (9.1 grams)

1 ounce (28 grams) of almonds (3.5 grams)

1 small apple with skin (3.6 grams)

¼ cup (59 milliliters) of dried figs (3.7 grams)

½ cup (118 milliliters) of edamame (3.8 grams)

1 medium orange (3.1 grams)

1 medium banana (3.1 grams)

½ cup (118 milliliters) canned sauerkraut (3.4 grams)

How Much Should Kids Get?

Toddlers (1-3 years old) should get 19 grams of fiber each day.

Kids 4-8 years old should get 25 grams a day.

Older girls (9-13) and teen girls (14-18) should get 26 grams of fiber a day.

Older boys (9-13) should get 31 grams and teen boys (14-18) should get 38 grams per day.

Adding Fiber to Your Family's Diet

Here are some creative, fun, and tasty ways to incorporate more fiber-rich foods into your family's diet:
Breakfast

Make oatmeal (a whole grain) part of morning meals.

Choose whole-grain cereals that have 3 grams or more fiber per serving.

Make pancakes with whole-grain (or buckwheat) pancake mix and top with apples, berries, or raisins.

Serve bran or whole grain waffles topped with fruit.

Offer whole-wheat bagels or English muffins, instead of white toast.

Top fiber-rich cereal with apples, oranges, berries, or bananas. Add almonds to pack even more fiber punch.

Mix kid-favorite cereals with fiber-rich ones or top with a tablespoon of bran.

Lunch and Dinner

Make sandwiches with whole-grain breads instead of white.

Make a fiber-rich sandwich with whole-grain bread, peanut butter, and bananas.

Serve whole-grain rolls with dinner instead of white rolls.

Use whole-grain pastas instead of white.

Serve wild or brown rice with meals instead of white rice. Add beans (kidney, black, navy, and pinto) to rice dishes for even more fiber.

Spice up salads with berries and almonds, chickpeas, artichoke hearts, and beans (kidney, black, navy, or pinto).

Use whole-grain (corn or whole wheat) soft-taco shells or tortillas to make burritos or wraps. Fill them with eggs and cheese for breakfast; turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and light dressing for lunch; and beans, salsa, taco sauce, and cheese for dinner.

Add lentils or whole-grain barley to soups.

Create mini-pizzas by topping whole-wheat English muffins or bagels with pizza sauce, low-fat cheese, mushrooms, and pieces of grilled chicken.

Add bran to meatloaf or burgers. (But not too much bran or your family might catch on!)

Serve sweet potatoes with the skins as tasty side dishes. Regular baked potatoes with the skins are good sources of fiber, too.

Top low-fat hot dogs or veggie dogs with sauerkraut and serve them on whole-wheat hot dog buns.

Pack fresh fruit or vegetables in school lunches.

Snacks and Treats

Bake cookies or muffins using whole-wheat flour instead of regular. Or use some whole-wheat and some regular flour, so that the texture of your baked treats won't be drastically different. Add raisins, berries, bananas, or chopped or pureed apples to the mix for even more fiber.

Add bran to baking items such as cookies and muffins.

Top whole-wheat crackers with peanut butter or low-fat cheese.

Offer air-popped popcorn - a whole-grain food - as a midday treat or while kids watch TV or movies. (However, only give popcorn to kids over 4 years old because it can be a choking hazard.)

Top ice cream, frozen yogurt, or low-fat yogurt with whole-grain cereal, berries, or almonds for some added nutrition and crunch.

Serve apples topped with peanut butter.

Make fruit salad with pears, apples, bananas, oranges, and berries. Top with almonds for added crunch. Serve as a side dish with meals or alone as a snack.

Make low-fat breads, muffins, or cookies with canned pumpkin.

Leave the skins on when serving fruits and veggies as snacks or as part of a meal.

Make gradual changes that will add up to a diet that's higher in fiber over time. And keep offering a variety of foods that are good sources of fiber - fruits like pears and berries; vegetables like spinach and green peas; lentils and kidney, white, or black beans; and whole-grain breakfast cereals and breads. Kids will get the fiber they need, and you'll set the tone for a lifetime of healthy eating.

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how much fiber should my child be getting

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Few kids would say they crave a good fiber-rich meal. Although the thought of fiber might bring gags and groans from kids, many appetizing foods are actually great sources of fiber - from fruits to whole-grain cereals. Foods with fiber are not just for the senior-citizen crowd.

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Being physically active helps your preschooler learn healthy habits. Preschoolers who participate in active play can get the physical activity they need to maintain a healthy weight, develop muscles and strong bones, and reduce their risk of developing some chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes.

Follow these tips to help your preschooler be active:

Encourage your preschooler to play actively several times every day. Preschoolers' activity may happen in short bursts of time instead of all at once.

Limit TV, tablet, and other screen time to less than 1 hour total per day, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Preschoolers need quiet time but make sure your preschooler is not inactive for too long. Read a book together or create a craft rather than unwinding with screen time.

Be a role model and limit your own inactivity. Your preschooler will learn that being physically active is part of a healthy life. Manage the time you spend watching TV or using mobile devices.

Look for active childcare settings that engage children in play and regular physical activity.

Make active play fun for the whole family. Let your child help plan the fun! Take a walk together after dinner, play catch, kick a ball, or turn up the music and dance.

Resources:

For more information and resources, check out the Move Your Way campaign by the US Department of Health and Human Service. Move Your Way is based on updated physical activity guidelines and provides a variety of fact sheets, posters, videos, interactive tools, etc., for kids and adults.

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usda center for nutrition policy & promotion

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Being physically active helps your preschooler learn healthy habits. Preschoolers who participate in active play can get the physical activity they need to maintain a healthy weight, develop muscles and strong bones, and reduce their risk of developing some chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes.

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Preschoolers' immune systems are still developing. Follow important general food safety guidelines to avoid foodborne illness. Follow these additional food safety guidelines to keep your preschooler healthy and safe. You can also print the Food Safety Tips for Preschoolers handout.

Wash Hands Often
Hand washing is one of the most importent ways to keep your preschooler from getting sick. Children should wash their hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds at a time:

After using the bathroom

Before and after handling food or eating

After playing with pets or visiting a petting zoo

After coughing or sneezing

When their hands are dirty

Prevent Choking
Prevent choking by avoiding small or tough pieces of food. Your preschooler can easily choke on some foods. Avoid foods that are smaller than one-half inch (1/2 in.) or about the size of a nickel such as:

To prevent choking, have your preschooler sit down when they eat. Avoid letting them run, walk, play, or lie down with food in their mouth.

Avoid Raw Foods
Some foods are more likely to cause foodborne illness. Avoid serving your preschooler the following foods:

Unpasteurized (raw) milk or any products made from unpasteurized milk

Raw or partially cooked eggs or foods containing raw eggs

Raw or underwooked meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish. Cook foods to safe minimum internal temperatures

Unpasteurized juices

Unwashed fruits or vegetables, especially raw sprouts

Serve Safe Seafood
Some types of seafood may contain unhealthy chemicals, like mercury. Choose fish lower in mercury to make sure what your child eats is safe. Choices that are lower in mercury include:

For more information, visit FoodSafety.gov.

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usda center for nutrition policy & promotion

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Preschoolers' immune systems are still developing. Follow important general food safety guidelines to avoid foodborne illness. Follow these additional food safety guidelines to keep your preschooler healthy and safe. You can also print the Food Safety Tips for Preschoolers handout. Wash Hands Often Hand washing is one of the most importent ways to keep your preschooler from getting sick.

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Children love to play outdoors. It is a wonderful place to test one's physical abilities and to just have fun. Keeping children safe outdoors requires some special precautions. Here are some tips for keeping children in your child care program safe outdoors.

General Outdoor Safety Tips for Child Care

Never leave children alone outside

Teach children not to play near the street

Explain that children must ask for help if toys roll into the street or driveway

Check the outdoor play area routinely. Remove trash, sharp branches, tools, lawn equipment, and animal feces

Safe Set-up of the Outdoor Environment

Be sure all outdoor play areas are fenced, especially near a street, parking lot, pond, well, or railroad track

Surround electrical appliances in the play area, such as air conditioners, with fences so children cannot reach them

Remove gas grills from outdoor play areas

Keep gates closed and install childproof latches

Lock storage sheds, barns, and garages

Safety with Tricycles and Other Riding Toys

Require children to use helmets when using tricycles, bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, and ride-on toys

Reduce choking risks by having children remove helmets when playing on playground equipment

Use safety straps to secure children in strollers

Do not put children who cannot sit up well in wagons with low sides

Playground Safety

Ensuring that the playground area is safe requires careful planning and monitoring. Remember that infants and toddlers (ages 0 - 2), preschool-age children (ages 3 - 5), and school-age children (ages 5 - 12) have different developmental needs and abilities, and may need developmentally different. Different age groups may need different playground equipment in areas separated by fences to ensure that playgrounds are safe and fun for everyone. Here are some guidelines to assess playground safety.

Regularly inspect surface and playground equipment for broken, worn, or missing parts. Remove, repair, or replace items immediately.

Cover sand boxes when not in use so animals won't use them as a litter box

Provide some shade in the play space, either from natural sources like trees or from a tent, awning, or other shelter

Place metal playground equipment, such as platforms and slides, in the shade to prevent burns. A slide that faces north will receive the least direct sunlight.

Place equipment that has moving parts, such as swings, on the outside of the play area

Teach children to stay away from the front and back of the swing area

Keep outdoor play equipment at least 6 feet away from pavement, fences, trees, buildings, walkways, and other play equipment

Provide guardrails or barriers for platforms or ramps over 30 inches high

Cover all protruding bolts or screws with plastic safety caps

Close S-hooks completely on swings

Never attach any ropes or cords to play equipment

Safely anchor to the ground permanent outdoor equipment such as swing sets or climbers

Tips for Playground Surfacing

To reduce the risk of injuries from falls, make sure all play equipment has soft surfacing underneath it. Materials such as sand, pea gravel, rubber mulch, and wood chips are soft enough to absorb falls. Grass and dirt are not soft enough to absorb the shock of a fall. Do not install loose-fill surfacing over hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.

Surface materials should be a minimum of 6 inches deep for equipment less than 4 feet high and 9 inches deep for equipment up to 8 feet in height. The material should extend at least 6 feet beyond all sides of edge of stationary equipment. For swings, surfacing should extend in back and in front, two times the height of the suspension bar. NOTE: The Outdoor Home Playground Safety Handbook published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends an initial fill level of 12 inches. It will compress to about a 9-inch depth of surfacing over time. The surfacing will also compact, displace, and settle, and should be periodically refilled to maintain at least a 9-inch depth.

For More Information

To learn more about safe outdoor play in child care, check out the following eXtension Alliance for Better Child Care articles:

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Basic Tips to Keep Children in Child Care Safe Outdoors - eXtension

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Children love to play outdoors. It is a wonderful place to test one's physical abilities and to just have fun. Keeping children safe outdoors requires some special precautions. Here are some tips for keeping children in your child care program safe outdoors.

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Toys are an important part of children's learning in child care, but providers need to choose carefully to keep children safe. According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates, in one year, 150,000 toy-related injuries were serious enough to require hospital emergency room treatment. Falls are the most frequent kind of accident, but many serious injuries result from children swallowing small parts, placing tiny toys in noses or ears, and from cutting themselves on sharp edges. The following suggestions can help keep child care a safe, fun time.

Select Toys with Care

Choose carefully. Look for good design and high-quality construction in the toys you place in the classroom.

Watch out for toys that have sharp edges, small parts, or sharp points. Avoid toys that produce extremely loud noises, which can damage hearing, and propelled objects, which can injure eyes.

Include toys that suit the children's age, interest, and abilities. Avoid toys that are too complex for young children. Many toys have a suggested age range to help you choose toys that are both appealing and safe.

Read the labels. Look for safety information such as "Not recommended for children under 3 years of age," or "non-toxic" on toys likely to end up in little mouths, or "washable/hygienic materials" on stuffed toys and dolls.

Look for the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) seal on electrical toys. This seal indicates that the electrical parts have been tested for safety.

Teach Proper Use of Toys

Check the instructions and explain to each child how to use the toy.

Always try to supervise children while they play. Learn to spot an accident about to happen.

Check toys periodically for broken parts and potential hazards. A dangerous toy should be repaired immediately or thrown away. Sharp or splintered edges on wooden toys should be sanded smooth. Use only non-toxic paint on toys or containers that children come in contact with. Check outdoor toys for rust and weak or sharp parts that could become hazardous.

Teach children to put their toys away so they do not get broken or create a tripping hazard.

Use toy shelves for storage. Open shelves allow the children to see favorite toys and return them to the shelf after play. Be sure the shelf is sturdy and won't tip over if a child climbs on it.

Avoid Seven Common Toy Dangers

Sharp edges: Toys made of brittle plastic or glass can break easily, exposing sharp points and edges. Wooden, metal, and plastic toys sometimes have sharp edges due to poor construction.

Small parts: Tiny toys and toys with small, removable parts can be swallowed or become lodged in a child's windpipe, ears, or nostrils. The squeakers in some squeeze toys can be removed and possibly swallowed. The seams of poorly constructed stuffed dolls or animals can break open and release small pellets that also can be swallowed or inhaled.

Loud noises: Some noise-making toys can reach noise levels that can damage hearing.

Sharp points: Broken toys can expose dangerous prongs and knife-sharp points. Pins and staples on dolls' clothes, hair, and accessories can easily puncture the skin of an unsuspecting child. Even a teddy bear or stuffed toy can be assembled with wires that can cut or stab.

Propelled objects: Projectiles - guided missiles and other flying toys - can be turned into weapons and cause injury, to the eyes in particular. Children should never be permitted to play with adult lawn darts or other hobby or sporting equipment with sharp points. Arrows or darts used by children should have soft cork tips, rubber suction cups, or other protective tips to prevent injury.

Electric toys: Electric toys that are improperly constructed, wired, or used can shock or burn. Electric toys must meet mandatory requirements for maximum surface temperatures, electrical construction, and prominent warning labels. Electric toys with heating elements are recommended only for children over age 8. Children should be taught to use electric toys cautiously and under adult supervision.

Wrong toy for the wrong age: Toys that may be safe for older children can be extremely dangerous in the hands of little ones.

Use Extra Care with Toys for Infants and Toddlers

Choose toys for very young children with extra care. Playthings that are safe for older children can be hazardous to little ones. Keep in mind that toddlers trip and fall easily, and that, with infants, everything goes into the mouth.

When choosing a toy for a toddler or infant, make sure it:

Is too large to be swallowed.

Does not have detachable pieces that can lodge in the windpipe, ears, or nostrils.

Will not break easily, leaving jagged edges.

Has no sharp edges or points.

Has not been put together with easily exposed pins, wires, staples, or nails.

Is labeled "non-toxic."

Can't pinch fingers or catch hair.

For More Information

To learn more about toy safety in child care, check out the following eXtension Alliance for Better Child Care articles:

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Toys are an important part of children's learning in child care, but providers need to choose carefully to keep children safe. According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates, in one year, 150,000 toy-related injuries were serious enough to require hospital emergency room treatment.

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Each year in the United States, emergency departments (EDs) treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries. 1 More than 20,000 of these children are treated for a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including concussion. ² Overall, more research is needed to better understand what specific activities are putting kids at risk of injury and what changes in playground equipment and surfaces might help prevent injuries

Occurrence and Consequences of Playground-Related Injuries

All Emergency Department-Treated, Playground-Related Injuries

About 56% of playground-related injuries that are treated in EDs are fractures and contusions/abrasions.¹

About 75% of injuries related to playground equipment occur on public playgrounds. Most occur at a place of recreation or school.¹

Playground-Related TBIs

The overall rate of ED visits for playground-related TBI has significantly increased in recent years (2005-2013).¹

About two-thirds of playground-related TBIs occurred at school and places or recreation or sports and often involved monkey bars, climbing equipment, or swings.²

Most ED visits for playground-related TBIs occur during weekdays, Monday through Friday.²

Playground-related TBI ED visits occurred frequently during the months of April, May, and September.²

Deaths

Between 2001 and 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission investigated 40 deaths associated with playground equipment. The average age of children who died was six years old. Of these, 27 (68%) died from strangulation and six (15%) died from falls to the playground surface. ¹ Most strangulation involved the combination of slides or swings and jump ropes, other ropes, dog leashes or clothes drawstrings.

Injury Risk Factors

While all children who use playgrounds are at risk for injury, boys sustain ED-treated injuries (55%) slightly more often than girls (45%).³

Children ages 5 to 9 have higher rates of ED visits for playground injuries than any other age group. Most of these injuries occur at school. On public playgrounds, more injuries occur on monkey bars and climbing equipment than on any other equipment.³

Playgrounds that are well maintained have fewer risks to children such as rusty or broken equipment.⁴

Boys more often sustain playground-related TBIs compared to girls.²

Most children who are treated for playground-related TBIs are 5 to 9 years of age.²

Playground-related TBIs varied by age group and equipment type:

0-4 year olds are often injured on swings and slides.²

5-9 year olds are often injured on swings, monkey bars, and climbing equipment.²

10-14 year olds are often injured on swings, monkey bars, and climbing equipment.²

5 to 14 year olds sustain TBIs more frequently at school.²

What Can Be Done?

Take steps to keep kids safe by:

Checking that playgrounds have soft material under them such as wood chips, sand, or mulch.

Reading playground signs and using playground equipment that is right for your child's age.

Making sure there are guardrails in good condition to help prevent falls.

Looking out for things in the play area that can trip your child, like tree stumps or rocks.

References

1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Injuries and investigated deaths associated with playground equipment, 2001-2008. https://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/108596/playground.pdfpdf icon external icon . Published October 29, 2009. Accessed April 26, 2016.

2. Cheng TA, Bell JM, Haileyesus T, Gilchrist J, Sugerman DE, Coronado VG. Nonfatal playground-related traumatic brain injuries among children, 2001-2013. Pediatrics published online: May 2, 2016 (doi: 10.1542/peds.2015-2721.R3).

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nonfatal Sports- and Recreation-Related Injuries Treated in Emergency Departments - United States, July 2000-June 2001. MMWR 2002; 51(33):736-740.

4. National Program for Playground Safety. State report cards. http://www.playgroundsafety.org/research/state-report-cardsexternal icon . Accessed April 26, 2016.

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Each year in the United States, emergency departments (EDs) treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries. 1 More than 20,000 of these children are treated for a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including concussion.

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Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability for young children. Young children are at higher risk of injuries overall, and certain injuries are more probable at different ages. Toddlers are most susceptible to poisoning, preschoolers to drowning, and school-aged children to pedestrian accidents. Children are more likely to be injured when they are not under appropriate adult supervision.

The vast majority of childhood injuries are preventable. Child care providers need to take specific steps to prevent injury in the child care setting. The following are some basic recommendations for preventing injury.

Indoor Safety

Children need the freedom to explore their environment to develop and strengthen connections in their growing brains. The classroom or family child care home needs to be a space where children of all ages can explore safely. Even infants need time and space to roll or crawl. Instead of confining infants to cribs, high chairs, or playpens all day, set up a safe play space where they can play freely. Remember that children are curious and interested in the things they see. Do a safety check each morning before children arrive to ensure that your indoor space is safe. Ask yourself the following questions:

Are all sharp or breakable items out of children's reach?

Are cleaning products, medications, and other poisons in a locked closet or cabinet?

Are small toys that could cause choking out of the reach of all children under 3?

Have I inspected all toys to make sure there are no broken or loose pieces or rough edges?

Are there doors, gates, or other barriers to prevent children from falling down stairs?

Are shelves and other tall pieces of furniture anchored to the wall to prevent tipping?

Are sharp edges and corners of furniture covered to protect children?

Am I ready to supervise children's play carefully and redirect them if they begin to do something unsafe?

Outdoor Safety

Playing outdoors is an important part of young children's development. To ensure that outdoor play is safe, follow these guidelines:

Playground equipment should be the appropriate size for the children in your group. Infants and toddlers are at greater risk on high platforms and tall slides.

Playground surfacing needs to be soft and resilient to cushion falls. Surfacing should extend at least 6 feet from playground equipment on all sides, and should be at least 6 to 12 inches deep (appropriate depth is determined by the height of the structure). Safe surfaces for playgrounds include sand, pea gravel, wood chips/mulch, and shredded/recycled rubber mulch. Dirt and grass are not soft enough to be safe surfaces for playgrounds.

Outdoor play areas should be bordered by a fence or other barrier so children stay within the safe area.

Careful supervision is essential during outdoor play.

Teach children the following outdoor safety rules:

Use playground equipment appropriately.

Stay a safe distance away from moving swings.

Watch out for others when riding tricycles.

Wait for the group before crossing the street.

Watch for cars in streets and parking lots.

Stay inside designated play areas.

Water Safety

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death among children under age 15. Special safety precautions are essential whenever children are around water. Drowning can happen very quickly. One study in Orange County, California, found that 70 percent of all preschoolers who drowned were under the care of at least one parent at the time of the drowning, and 75 percent were out of sight for five minutes or less.

Teaching children how to swim or getting them comfortable in and around the water does not prevent them from drowning.

A child can drown in only a few inches of water. Small children are top-heavy, and they lack the upper body strength to help themselves out of a potentially dangerous situation. Never leave a young child alone near a sink, bucket or pan of water, or toilet. A few seconds is all it takes for a child to drown.

If your center or home has a swimming pool, follow these special precautions to keep children safe:

Install a high fence around pools.

Lock all gates when the pool is not in use.

Remove toys from the water after playing to prevent children from trying to reach them.

Keep a phone and rescue equipment close by.

Require children to wear life vests when boating. Never use air-filled swimming aids as a substitute for a life vest.

Whenever children are in the water, insist that they be watched by a certified lifeguard. Have extra staff on hand specifically to supervise children in the water.

Other Ideas for Preventing Injury

Protecting children's safety and preventing injuries is one of a child care provider's most important jobs. Be attentive, choose materials carefully, supervise closely at all times, and teach children how to keep themselves safe. The following articles provide more information to help you protect children from injury in child care.

Preventing injuries can be challenging, but the steps you take to protect children are worth the effort.

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Preventing Injuries in Child Care - eXtension

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Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability for young children. Young children are at higher risk of injuries overall, and certain injuries are more probable at different ages. Toddlers are most susceptible to poisoning, preschoolers to drowning, and school-aged children to pedestrian accidents.

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Protective factors are conditions or attributes in individuals, families, and communities that promote the health and well-being of children and families. By using a protective factors approach, child welfare professionals and others can help parents find resources and supports that emphasize their strengths while also identifying areas where they need assistance, thereby reducing the chances of child abuse and neglect.

What are the protective factors to prevent child abuse and neglect?

There are a variety of protective factors approaches, with each highlighting a different set of factors. The following are the six factors included in the Children's Bureau's framework that community-based service providers can use to identify strengths within families and how those strengths can be further developed to prevent child abuse.

A child's early experiences of being nurtured and developing a bond with a caring adult affects all aspects of behavior and development. When parents and children have strong, warm feelings for one another, children develop trust that their parents will provide what they need to thrive, including love, acceptance, positive guidance, and protection.

Research shows that babies who receive affection and nurturing from their parents have the best chance of healthy development. A child's relationship with a consistent, caring adult in the early years is associated later in life with better academic grades, healthier behaviors, more positive peer interactions, and an increased ability to cope with stress.

Essentials for Childhood: Creating Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships and Environments for All Children (PDF - 24,945 KB)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Violence Prevention (2019)
Describes a framework to guide community activities to help build safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for children and families. The guide outlines four main goals: to raise awareness and commitment to promoting safe, stable, and nurturing relationships; to use data to inform actions; to create the context for healthy children through norms change and program creation; and to create the context for healthy children through policy change.

Helping Caregivers Foster Secure Attachment in Young Children
Jackson (2017)
Social Work Today, 17(4)
Describes an intervention designed to help parents better identify behaviors that may contribute to insecure attachment and increase the quantity and quality of nurturing behaviors.

Responsive Care: Nurturing a Strong Attachment Through Everyday Moments
ZERO TO THREE (2016)
Showcases a video on responsive care, the process of watching and tuning into a child's cues and responding in a sensitive way in order to nurture and build attachment with the child.

There is extensive research linking healthy child development to effective parenting. Children thrive when parents provide not only affection but also respectful communication and listening, consistent rules and expectations, and safe opportunities that promote independence. Successful parenting fosters psychological adjustment, helps children succeed in school, encourages curiosity about the world, and motivates children to achieve. The following resources offer information that helps families build their knowledge of child and youth development.

Parents who can cope with the stresses of everyday life, as well an occasional crisis, have resilience; they have the flexibility and inner strength necessary to bounce back when things are not going well. Multiple life stressors, such as a family history of abuse or neglect, health problems, marital conflict, or domestic or community violence-and financial stressors, such as unemployment, poverty, and homelessness-may reduce a parent's capacity to cope effectively with the typical day-to-day stresses of raising children. The following resources support parents and caregivers in building their resilience.

Engaging Resilience: How Responsive Caregiving Lays the Foundation for Children to Thrive
LENA (2020)
Discusses the importance of the relationship with a caring adult provides children with the stability and security they need for healthy emotional, social, and behavioral development.

Parents and caregivers with a social network of emotionally supportive friends, family, and neighbors often find that it is easier to care for their children and themselves compared with those who do not have such a network. All caregivers need people they can call on once in a while when they need a sympathetic listener, advice, or concrete support. Research has shown that parents who are isolated and have few social connections are at higher risk for maltreating their children. The following resources provide an array of information that help families enhance their social connections.

Many factors can affect a family's ability to care for its children.

Partnering with parents to identify and access resources in the community may help prevent the stress that sometimes precipitates child maltreatment. Providing concrete supports may also help prevent the unintended neglect that sometimes occurs when parents are unable to provide for their children. The following resources outline resources that offer help to parents and caregivers.

Find Support
National Parent Helpline
Provides links to national resources for a wide range of supports, including basic needs, social support emergency numbers, parenting education, and more. The webpage also includes State-specific resources.

Making Connections
Annie E. Casey Foundation
This initiative operates on the premise that families do better when they live in communities that help them to succeed. Information on theory, sites, results, and reading materials are provided.

Parents support healthy social and emotional development in children when they model how to express and communicate emotions effectively, self-regulate, and make friends. A child's social and emotional competence is crucial to sound relationships with family, adults, and peers. Conversely, delayed social-emotional development may obstruct healthy relationships. Early identification of such delays and early assistance for children and parents can provide support for family relationships and sustain positive and appropriate development.

Social-Emotional Competence of Children: Protective and Promotive Factors (PDF - 202 KB)
Center for the Study of Social Policy (2018)
Discusses the link between children's level of social and emotional competence and their language skills, mental health, and school success.

Children's Social Emotional Development and Mental Health: Why Does It Matter?
Children's Bureau and Learning Coordination Center
Highlights why it's important for all child-and family-serving programs to integrate increased support for the social emotional development of young children and the well-being of their caregivers.

Protective factors framework

A protective factors framework provides a better understanding on how six protective factors may contribute to or explain positive outcomes for children, families, and communities, as well as prevent child abuse and neglect. The resources below provide examples of the protective factors approaches commonly used in child welfare systems.

Protective Factors and Protective Capacities: Common Ground for Protecting Children and Strengthening Families [Infographic] (PDF - 233 KB)
Capacity Building Center for States (2016)
Describes the protective capacities framework and the protective factors framework, both of which are used by child welfare practitioners to assess, intervene, and serve families as well as explores the common ground the frameworks share to help strengthen consistency in services for families.

Protective Factors Approaches in Child Welfare

Provides an overview of national protective factors approaches to prevent child abuse and neglect. It is designed to help child welfare professionals, administrators, service providers, policymakers, and other interested individuals understand the concepts of protective and risk factors in families and communities and learn ways in which building protective factors can help lower the risk of child abuse and neglect now and in the future.

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Protective Factors to Promote Well-Being and Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect

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Protective factors are conditions or attributes in individuals, families, communities, or the larger society that, when present, mitigate or eliminate risk in families and communities that, when present, increase the health and well-being of children and families.