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Pages related to Early Childhood

for Members and CFLEs ONLY

Building Blocks for a Healthy Future

Posted by Dawn Cassidy | February 07, 2012

Building Blocks for a Healthy Future is an early childhood substance abuse prevention program developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Designed for parents and caregivers of children ages 3 to 6, Building Blocks will help you open up the lines of communication with young children-and make it easier to keep those lines of communication open as they grow older.

The site includes teaching resources and tools, curricula and lesson plans to help with preschool curriculum development. You will find educational classroom games, school activities, and other useful teaching resources. These classroom tools are designed to help educators build a bridge between school and home, reach out to their communities, and use the six action steps that Building Blocks is based on to protect young children from developing risky behaviors.

You can access, download, and print the materials in this section to use within your class and to distribute throughout your community. All of the materials are in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP).

Mathematica Policy Research
from NCFR News

Mathematica Policy Research

seeking studies for home visiting programs - deadline January 6
December 06, 2011

Mathematica Policy Research® is seeking studies for a comprehensive review of the evidence base for home visiting programs.

American Academy of Pediatrics
from NCFR News

Important new information about safe sleeping environments for infants

October 25, 2011

The American Academy of Pediatrics just released an article about how to create safe sleeping environments for infants.

from NCFR News

Child Trends releases a brief

on healthy eating in childhood
September 20, 2011

In a new brief, Early Childhood Policy Focus: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, Child Trends reviews recent data and current research on nutrition and exercise habits of young children under the age of six.

for Members and CFLEs ONLY

Early Learning Digest

Posted by Dawn Cassidy | August 16, 2011

Early Learning Digest is a FREE parenting newsletter available for parents of 0-5 year olds. Each bi-monthly issue offers articles of interest regarding evidence-based child development and parenting tools and techniques. This newsletter is provided through a partnership with Minnesota Parents Know, Help Me Grow, and the Minnesota Department of Education. Sign up to have Early Learning Digest sent directly to your email.

for Members and CFLEs ONLY

Can You Hear Me? Commuicating with Young Children, Ages 0-5

Posted by Beth Quist | August 09, 2011

Are your children tuning you out when you talk to them? Do you have to repeat yourself in order to be heard? A child's specific developmental stage influences her ability to understand and communicate. This webinar will focus on practical, accessible and developmentally appropriate parenting skills and strategies for communicating with young children ages two through six years. We will also talk briefly about signs indicating there may be an issue with receptive and expressive language, and where to go for help.

for Members and CFLEs ONLY

Parenting Your Child with Special Needs

Posted by Beth Quist | August 09, 2011

Parenting a child with special needs multiplies the challenges a parent faces. It requires more of everything: more money, more doctor visits, more stress, more resiliency, more energy and time, more frustration, and often more discouragement. Learn coping skills to help you manage the extra challenges, flags to know when to seek help, and valuable parenting resources available to you.

for Members and CFLEs ONLY

Healthy Kids, Healthy Families

Posted by Beth Quist | August 09, 2011

Are you tired of fighting with your kids about what to eat and getting them to move more? Are you unsure of what your kids really need for a healthy diet and exercise? In this webinar you will learn what kids need for healthy growth and development. You will have a better understanding if your child may have any issues of concern and we will discuss tips on getting even picky eaters to eat right at home and away.

for Members and CFLEs ONLY

Countdown to Literacy

Posted by Beth Quist | August 09, 2011

Through this webinar you will learn that literacy is a process that begins at birth. Literacy begins in oral form from the moment you say your baby’s name. Literacy is learned on a continuum. As a result of this class you will learn the literacy continuum and where your child might fit on that continuum. If you have a child with disabilities or are concerned with your child’s literacy progress, you will find some clarification and learn about resources to access for your child. The main literacy components will be broken down, meaningful connections made and examples for your child at every level from birth through third grade will be provided. Literacy is a cumulative process and you will learn immediate, hands-on ways to promote literacy in your home through everyday play, routines and experiences.

for Members and CFLEs ONLY

Separating Fact from Fiction About Parent-Child Attachment

Posted by Beth Quist | August 09, 2011

Parents today are bombarded with messages telling them how to raise successful kids. One concept that plays a prominent role in those messages is "parent-child attachment," reportedly an essential foundation on which a child's optimal learning and development build. But what does "attachment" really mean, and why is it so important? How can you tell if your child's attachment with you is developing as it should? Is it true that a baby's brain development is affected by the quality of the parent-infant relationship? Can a good attachment develop if mom and dad both work outside the home? Is it necessary to breastfeed, "wear" your baby in a sling, or share the family bed in order to form a good attachment? Is it possible for a child and parent to be too attached? If a baby is premature, medically fragile, or at risk for a disability, how might attachment develop differently? And what about an adopted child who may have missed out on a good attachment as an infant? What will it take for that child to form positive connections with adoptive parents, teachers and other caring adults?