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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Dads Matter!

Fathers have a profound influence on their child's language development. Check out this article which discusses the significance of dad - even for the youngest of children.

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From the article, we're reminded that when dads spend time talking with their child, it makes a difference! Remember that even small moments, like diaper changes or baths, can be meaningful moments of development. When children play with dad and know they are safe, it strengthens their emotional stability. For more information about "The Importance of Fathers", check out this article from Psychology Today.

Screen Sense

Check out this fantastic new resource from ZERO TO THREE regarding children and screen time!

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"Babies today are born into a world of digital devices. And parents are trying to navigate this new reality—specifically figuring out what role these new gadgets should play in the lives of their young children...

To fill this critical gap, ZERO TO THREE has developed Screen Sense: Setting the Record Straight—Research-based Guidelines for Screen Use for Children Under 3 Years Old. This new free resource, written in partnership with leading researchers in the field of media and young children, is an authoritative review of what is known about the effect of screen media on young children’s learning and development. It is designed to serve as a tool for guiding parents and professionals in making informed decisions about screen media use.

In addition to Screen Sense, there is a summary of the key findings, tips for how to use screen media with children under 3, and an infographic about 5 common misconceptions related to children and screen media."

Follow the link to download these tools and share!

"The Power of Town & Gown"

In his latest post, Dr. Paul Dworkin, founder of Help Me Grow and Director of the Help Me Grow National Center, has updated his blog regarding Help Me Grow Western New York and the College of Education of Niagara University. This is the first time a higher education institution is serving as the organizing entity for a Help Me Grow affiliate. In Alabama, Help Me Grow is organized under the Alabama Partnership for Children and throughout the country, Help Me Grow affiliates are associated with various nonprofits, state departments, and health providers.

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Read more to learn about this "inspiring example of strengthening town-gown ties in support of childhood system building."

Safety for Children

Newborns quickly progress from infant to toddler and it’s important to provide a safe environment for them to thrive. Watching young children learn and grow is very exciting, but several precautions should be taken to avoid common, but often dangerous accidents. The National Safety Council has assembled a quick list of tips to avoid suffocation, choking, falls, burns, and drowning. To help keep a curious child explore safely, consider these tips:

-         Infants should always sleep on their backs, and never on soft surfaces like comforters or pillows, or with large stuffed animals or toys.

-         Keep floors swept and vacuumed – infants and toddlers have an amazing ability to find tiny objects that could be choking hazards! Also, don’t allow any child to eat or suck on any hard food while lying down.

-         Keep cords and wires out of walking and crawling paths to prevent children from tripping on or becoming tangled in electronics.

-         Never leave a child unattended with a burning cigarette, candle, or any type of open flame.

-         Never leave a child unattended in a bathtub or near a pool or body of water. Entrances to bathrooms, pools, and other bodies of water should be securely closed when not in use.

For more a more thorough list with other ideas, download this PDF.

Infant Healthy Development & Nurturing Relationships

We all know infants need parents, but what impact do caregivers have on social and emotional health? Check out this post from Too Small to Fail on infant mental health:

“When a baby cries for attention or smiles for the first time, he is communicating with the people around him so that they can help him meet his physical and emotional needs. But how his parents respond to those early communication attempts—as well as the security he feels from these early interactions—will help shape his mental health and social skills for years to come…”

Also, watch “Connecting with Babies: The Power of Parent/Child Interaction” here.