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…
This fact sheet profiles the Parents as Teachers program, an evidence-based home visiting approach that builds strong families and promotes positive parent-child interaction so children are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. Findings from a 2004 study on the benefits and costs of prevention and early intervention programs are shared and indicate Parents as Teachers had the largest benefit per dollar of cost ($1.23) of all reviewed pre-kindergarten education programs for children up to age 3. Goals of the Parent as Teachers program are explained and include: enhance parent knowledge of child…
Early childhood is a critical time for the healthy development of children. Between the ages of 2 and 7, the human brain grows to 70-90% of its adult size. The quality of nurtur-ing and education which occurs during this early childhood period significantly impacts not only a child's individual capacities, but the child's ability to ultimately contribute to a healthy community. In this publication, we take a look at families who have been engaged with some form of early childhood education or service in Minnesota. We cast a broad net here including organized programs such as Early Childhood…
This fact sheet defines social and emotional competence in children and offers tips for parents on how to guide development of social and emotional competence for their children.
This framework is a road map for progress in achieving the kinds of outcomes that lead to positive and enduring change for children and families. It is a research-based approach to program change that shows how an agency can work together as a whole--across systems and service areas--to promote parent and family engagement and children's learning development. (Author abstract)
This paper addresses the perspectives of parents and program staff in the sharing of child assessment information through the formation of partnerships and suggests strategies for bringing those perspectives together. It outlines a framework for building partnerships between program staff and parents that establish ongoing communication, enhance teacher-child and parent child relationships, and help prepare children and families for transitions to later schooling. This will assure that 1) families have access to information about their children, 2) the information is understandable and…
