| Show '"'-- VK DECEMBER if"' ft' v SECTION 7 1997 H d A wm in in iiiiMlimwiLi 3 11 m— i W I T- -l at The Scenes from a typical day for Children's Academy Z A ' Salt Lake City: Garrett Holm (below) enjoys a balanced lunch approved Jordan by the state nutritionist Lloyd (top right) rolls out her nap mat teacher Lori Peterson (right) gives some personal attention to the doz- en "Polar Bears" in her care :i "TT 1 &S- - ? A I 7 8 - f" j " 1 V 1 DAY IN THE LIFE OF "n Watching the way we watch our children BY NANCY HOBBS THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Jordan Lloyd clutched her favorite blanket and sucked a thumb for comfort as her father dropped her off with a hug and kiss at The Children's Academy in Holladay on a November morning instructor Betty Ellis was quick to sense But child-car- e the toddler's melancholy and scooped her up for a welcoming hug The teacher's quick attention was a relieffor daughter and father who left feeling "Jojo"was in capable Three-year-ol- d and nurturing hands The child had been home ill the day before and still seemed quieter and more somber than usual the teacher noted Jojo rested her head on Ellis' shoulder and watched other children bustle about at what they do best — run dance and play-ac- t As Jojo's day progressed she started joining in the activ ities planned mentally stimulate the children physically and to Good child care has long been a problem for American families But with new research on the rapid brain development of children from birth through 3 old concerns about the lack of quality child care have become more urgent President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton helped mobilize public and political interest in the issue with a White House Conference on Child Care last October It was a chance to air the demographic realities and discomforting national statistics about the "silent crisis" as the Clintons called it Utah numbers where available mirror national trends Among them: Thirteen percent of licensed or regulated child care and See Jordan "Jojo" DAY CARE Page 4sr J-- 4 Lloyd sucks a thumb for comfort during afternoon nap time at The Children's Academy (left) after burning off -"- some energy on the outdoor slide v during play time (above right) meanwhile one of her classmates TP At explores one of the six tables at the center's computer day-car- e station (right) 7 - ' jr Members of the toddler group enjoy a snack (below) settle down for nap (left) r Li jiiiiiiiiiiiii w——w iiigunn- - !rmr'"— 1 ft -- — ————I Photos by Lynn R JohnsonThe Salt Lake Tribune "J— COF-Y-- 5 I J |
