How to help your caregiver with this topic

• If you are donating a used toy or piece of equipment to your child’s program, make sure it’s in great condition. Check that there are no recalls on the equipment with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html.



• Repair, clean and disinfect the equipment or toy before giving it away.



• Donate toys and equipment that can be used by more than one child, or buy more than one.



• Organize a “toy shower” for your child’s program; get a wish list from your caregiver.



• If you are donating supplies for arts and crafts, make sure they are safe and non-toxic.



• Organize your friends and family to clean out their clutter, and put together prop boxes that promote dramatic play. Let your own interests and hobbies inspire you! Here are a few ideas to get you started:



• Rhythm instruments, sheet music (laminated, if possible), CD’s or cassettes for an orchestra kit.



• Silk flowers and leaves, ribbons, crepe paper and a pole for a May Pole kit.



• Leaf press, magnifying glass, tracing paper and book of plants for a botanist’s kit.



• Gardening tools (nothing sharp), watering can, seed packets, plastic pots, and potting soil for a gardening kit.



• Maps, a compass, backpacks, plastic water bottles, empty and cleaned sun screen containers and granola bar wrappers for a traveler’s kit.



• Toy animals, clean animal grooming brush, stethoscope, note pad and pencil for a veterinarian‘s kit.



• Take a digital camera to your child’s program and capture the kids at play with the prop boxes. Share the photos with the prop donors and your caregiver.



• Give a gift of storage bins or baskets – it will help keep the child care environment more organized and restful.



• Don’t allow your child to take a favorite toy from home to child care – it may be hard to share it, and if it gets damaged, the caregiver should not be expected to replace it.