Working parents must assess their own children's needs and explore the various child care options available. Tips for parent whose children stay home alone and alternatives to leaving children alone are offered. (DF)

Suggests many benefits that latchkey children can attain from starting their own gardens. Whether children grow vegetables and herbs in their backyard or in containers, they will learn practical skills and may be able to sell their produce for cash. (MDM)

This ERIC Digest provides basic information about school-age day care programs. Discussion focuses briefly on options available to families with school-age children, developmental needs of school-age children, characteristics of high quality school-age programs, supportive services for self-care, and ways of improving school-age child care…

In planning the safety program for elementary school children, teachers should be able to identify at least one safety objective to promote knowledge so as to aid in the development of basic safe attitudes and behaviors. The inclusion of safety instruction across all elementary levels and subjects constitutes the "multidisciplinary approach."…

This ERIC Digest provides an overview of school-age child care (SACC) programs and suggests reasons for their growth. Discussion points out that escalating interest in SACC has paralleled the raising numbers of children left on their own, and that educators are only the latest in a parade of civic and professional groups which have gone on record…

The booklet is based on information from a 1984 conference on school-age latchkey children (those who take care of themselves during the out-of-school hours). An introduction notes controversies in terminology and focuses the discussion on what self-care means to the experiences of childhood. The first two chapters discuss the impact that having…

"Kids-on-Campus" provides before and after school child care services in partnership with seven school districts in Sacramento and Yolo Counties (CA). It is the ideal solution to the latchkey children problem with the program taking responsibility for all the development and administration of in-school child care programs. (MD)

In response to the number of young children taking care of themselves after school, the state of California has developed "Safety Pals," a program that teaches children how to take care of themselves when they do not have adult supervision. (MD)

Summarizes research findings about latchkey situations. Suggests activities and programs which involve parents, schools, and community. Provides potential resources for programs for use by practitioners. (Author/NB)

Project Home Safe is an American Home Economics Association program that provides training, technical assistance, materials, and other solutions to the school-age child care problem. (Author)

Discusses ways in which call-in hotlines provide assistance to latchkey children. Describes ways in which parents can provide a feeling of safety for latchkey children and cure feelings of loneliness and boredom through structured activities.(RJC)

Excessive television viewing is associated with obesity in children because it decreases time spent on physical activity, and promotes overeating of snacks and high calorie foods. Childhood obesity demands physicians' concern because of the physical and psychological damage which follows its victims into adulthood. (IAH)

Afterschool or latchkey programs provide professional care for youngsters while building confidence among students and parents. This article describes three program options: site-based, centralized, and outsider programs. Before proceeding, principals must discover parents' expectations, consider available facilities, obtain trained staff, and…

This article presents evidence from a national evaluation of the effects of 21st Century Community Learning Center after-school programs. The study was conducted in 12 school districts and 26 after-school centers, at which 2,308 elementary school students who were interested in attending a center were randomly assigned either to the treatment or…

Discusses the library's responsibility toward children, including the development of literacy skills, the use of public libraries by latchkey children, and increased demands for youth library services. The need for children's services now to improve the outlook for adult services later is examined, and suggestions for non-children's services…