ZERO TO THREE has released a policy brief and video illustrating how early language and literacy development contribute to a child’s success throughout life.
Download the policy brief.
View the video.
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Denauvo Robinson, President of the Albermarle Smart Start Partnership, discusses how the partnership is engaging fathers in the lives of their children and families through Circle of Parents. Dr. Robinson and Albermarle Executive Vice President, Dr. Jane Morrow provide insight on father involvement and engagement from a local perspective.
Dr. Robinson notes:
One thing that we have seen over time is many agencies define family as mother and children-not fathers or men. It is having a direct negative effect on our society as we raise our children. Our organization helps fathers become more engaged and involved with their children and families. This does not mean that the fathers are the sole heads of the family or lead their family with an iron fist. It does mean that involved fathers can help raise their children in a balanced and participatory way.
Read the article in the Partners for Kids Newsletter.
During this morning’s National Smart Start Conference keynote address, presenter Rich Niemand referenced an article in today’s NY Times. The article begins:
Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, made a strong argument for good early childhood care. In a speech in New York City, he argued that the value can be especially high for disadvantaged children with a strong payoff for the economy. These programs can increase high school graduation rates, and graduates earn more, pay more taxes, and rely less on state-provided health care.
Read the full article in the NY Times.
Natural Resources has shared the following resources on Home Visiting.
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[listswfiles folder="Family Support" search=”1”]
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) has released its 23rd What Works Brief, Understanding Temperament in Infants and Toddlers, which explains why temperament is important, provides some clarifications about temperament, and explains how to use what you know about temperament to promote positive social-emotional development and behavior. A handout called the Temperament Continuum is also provided to help you analyze where your temperament is similar and different to the children you care for. It is available at http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/wwb/wwb23.html
The Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation has developed a tool to help parents and caregivers to explore their own temperament traits, as well as those of a child for whom they provide care. Results from using the Infant Toddler Temperament Tool support parents and caregivers in understanding how adult and child similarities and differences in temperament traits may affect “goodness of fit” and provide tips to foster the unique temperament of each child within their care. Find the Tool and related information at http://www.ecmhc.org/temperament/index.html
Sources: Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning; Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
By B&K Weaver
Children develop the skills needed to learn to read long before they ever enter a kindergarten classroom. Early Ed Watch interviewed Gabrielle Miller, a national expert on early literacy interventions and national executive director for Raising A Reader about what the research shows about the importance of positive family involvement for a child’s later reading success. Several Smart Start local partnerships support the Raising a Reader program in their communities.
Learn more about Raising a Reader.
A new CONNECT Module on communication for collaboration is now available. This module focuses on effective communication practices that can be used to promote collaboration with professionals and families in early care and education, and intervention settings. CONNECT Modules are free and designed using an evidence-based approach to professional development. Resources include video clips, activities, and handouts. The modules are focused on teaching and intervening effectively with young children in a variety of early learning environments and inclusive settings and are designed to be embedded into existing curricula, coursework and other professional development opportunities.
This just in from Natural Resources:
Online Manual – How to Develop a Statewide System to Link Families with Community Resources
The Commonwealth Fund has released a new online manual, How to Develop a Statewide System to Link Families with Community Resources (2010). The manual offers guidance for exploring, creating, and/or enhancing an easily accessible system for connecting children with or at risk for developmental or behavioral problems with community resources. The material is based on Connecticut’s Help Me Grow initiative.
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