Be a Brain Builder

Start off the New Year as a brain builder for your child! Watch this two minute video to see parents who discover everything they need to make sure their child’s brain grows strong.

Tips on Toys

The holidays are a great time to play with your child, no matter how young they are! If you’re still looking for some last-minute gift ideas, NAEYC shares a few insights with us on what makes a good toy for a young child. You might be surprised to learn that “basic is better” when it allows for a child’s imagination to take over! Of course, if you do get a young child toys, you may be confused when your baby loves the box and wrapping paper more than the toy you excitedly wrapped. Check out these insights on why babies loves boxes and other sensory items. Regardless of how big or small your gift-giving is, remember not to overthink the power of play. When children play, they learn and grow emotionally. Just “trust your own playful instincts” and enjoy your child today!

To read more about play and how it affects your child’s development, follow these links from NAEYC:
What the Research Says: Impact of Specific Toys on Play
Why do Babies Like Boxes Best?
10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play

Myths and Measures: The Importance of Getting It Right

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Dr. Dworkin has posted on the Help Me Grow National blog, this time about making sure Help Me Grow gets its research right. He says, "The danger of asking the wrong questions and adopting the wrong outcome measures is an important consideration in our efforts to evaluate the efficacy of Help Me Grow. Our crucial task is to assure that we ask the right questions and adopt the right outcome measures for Help Me Grow as it promotes children’s healthy development." Read more here as he ties in schools and Strengthening Families.

The Magic of Everyday Moments

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ZERO TO THREE has done it again! Another great resource is available. Anyone who has a young child, knows one, or wonders about why children do what they do, should definitely check these videos out.

"The Magic of Every Moments" is a series of four videos that explore key aspects of early childhood development, including: 

Brain Wonders: Nurturing Healthy Brain Development From Birth
Literacy Skills: The Roots of Reading Start at Birth
Power of Play: Building Skills While Having Fun
Temperament: What Makes Your Child Tick?

The videos are professionally made, engaging, and just around six minutes each. Watch them and share far and wide!

Help Me Grow & Sustainability

Check out Dr. Paul Dworkin's latest blog post regarding Help Me Grow and sustainability. Examples from Connecticut and Florida demonstrate how Help Me Grow is becoming more deeply embedded in enduring systems.

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