Adults Can Learn To Provide Better Child Care Through Classes

Adults can learn to improve child care through an ongoing series of classes. Tips on understanding child behavior, learning skills, and socialization are among the topics covered in these sessions.

Classes are offered in St. Ignace, Newberry, and Sault Ste. Marie by the Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) offices in those counties.

The education is free, and parents and guardians of children are especially encouraged by MSUE to attend. People can attend all or any one of the classes and should register by calling the Michigan State University Extension office in that area.

Mackinac County training will be at the Mackinac County Airport meeting room in St. Ignace from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Session dates and topics include April 28, Play and Early Learning; May 27, Nutrition; July 25, CPR training. Call (906) 643-7307 to register. The airport is at 1220 North State Street.

Chippewa County sessions are at the Department of Human Services, Family Independence Agency office at 463 East Third Avenue in Sault Ste. Marie. Each session is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Session dates and topics include April 14, Exploring: Testing, Imitating, and Watching; May 12, Building Literacy and Words; June 9, The ABCs of Early Literacy; July 14, Music, Movement, and Math; August 11, Block Play - Is it Important? Call (906) 635-6368 to register.

Luce County sessions are at the Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft Health Department office on Hamilton Lake Road in Newberry from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Session dates and topics include May 5, Building Literacy and Words; June 2, The ABCs of Early Literacy; July 7, Music, Movement, and Math; August 4: Block Play: Is it Important? Call (906) 293-3203 to register.

Accommodations for people with disabilities may be arranged by calling the Mackinac County MSUE office at 643-7307 one week prior to the event.

Additional child care training is offered by Michigan State University Extension, and information about the sessions can be seen at Extension's Better Kid Care Web site at www.msue.msu.edu/bkc.