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Journal Article We used data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine how couple relationship quality and parental engagement are linked over children's early years--when they are infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our sample included 1,630 couples who were coresident over Years 1-3 and 1,376 couples who were coresident over Years 3-5 (1,196 over both periods). Overall, we found that better relationship quality predicted greater parental engagement for both mothers and fathers--especially in the infant to toddler years; in contrast, we found little evidence that parental engagement…
This fact sheet explores results of the 2009/2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN) and compares and contrasts the Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s six outcomes for South Dakota and the nation. It begins with background information on the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the Maternal and Child Health Services Black Grant, and the six core outcomes that describe what families should expect for the service system. The six care areas are: partnering with families in shared decision-making for child’s optimal health; coordinated, ongoing, comprehensive care…
This information sheet presents findings from a national survey of 1,615 parents of children from birth to three years, conducted by Hart Research for ZERO TO THREE, which shows what is on the minds of fathers and what they need for support in nurturing their young child's healthy development. (Author abstract modified)
This brief begins by explaining the goals of the Infants and Toddler with Disabilities Program of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities, minimize potential developmental delay, and reduce educational costs by minimizing the need for special education services as children with disabilities reach school age. It discusses the need to intervene early to strengthen cognitive development through positive early experiences, why services are essential, and the unmet needs of infants and toddlers with disabilities. 26…
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Journal Article Fathers were compared with other key figures for the extent to which they appear to serve as role models to their sons in adolescence and young adulthood. The relationship between fathers' role model statuses at these periods and their sons' vocational functioning in young adulthood was explored. It was found that only fathers' service as role models to their adolescent sons was predictive of sons' vocational adjustments in young adulthood and that father role model categories at the 2 time periods were differentially related to sons' functioning in young adulthood. (Author abstract)
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Intended for Wisconsin policymakers, this document explains infant and toddler development and key factors that influence the social and emotional competence, early learning and academic achievement, and secure attachment and self-regulation of children from birth to age three. The second part of the paper provides key facts and figures related to infants and toddlers in Wisconsin, current services that are available for infants and toddlers, and key Wisconsin efforts to assure quality services. The following section highlights early development programs that have been proven to work in other…
This fact sheet explains the development of toddlers between the ages of 2 and 3, the need for parents to help toddlers navigate the tide of strong emotions, and tips for parenting toddlers. Tips include: talk about feelings and how to cope; offer your child ideas for how to manage strong emotions; empathize with your child; give your child a visual aid to make waiting easier; let your child make choices appropriate to her age; and look for ways to help your child practice self-control.
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Journal Article The relevance of father involvement and brain development research to child welfare is discussed, including the influence of advances around brain-based father involvement efforts from the field of early education and care on child welfare workers' practice and courts' decision making. The four stages of implementing a brain-based father initiative are described. 2 figures and 14 references. (Author abstract modified)
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Journal Article Using a sample of resident fathers in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study--Birth Cohort (9-month Father Study), this study examined how father involvement is associated with infant cognitive outcomes in two domains (babbling and exploring objects with a purpose). Results from a series of logistic regression models indicate that varied aspects of father involvement (cognitively stimulating activities, physical care, paternal warmth, and caregiving activities) are associated with a lower likelihood of infant cognitive delay. Two-way interaction models further indicate that father involvement…
Since 1965, the guiding principle of Head Start has been to ensure every child enters school physically, emotionally, and intellectually prepared to begin formal learning. In the program's inaugural year, Head Start provided services to 561,000 children. Currently, Head Start provides services to more than 900,000 children each year, building on its legacy of having served more than 22 million children.Head Start is a family-focused program that helps mothers and fathers understand and appreciate the vital and unique roles they play in their children's healthy development. Nevertheless,…
