The Zero to Three website is a wealth of information. I dove into the Behavior & Development section (http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/). In each of these sections, you will find information, interactive tools, parent handouts, charts, Tip Sheets, FAQ’s, articles, and powerpoint slideshows all designed to help you in supporting and nurturing the health and development of babies and toddlers. The sections include: Brain Development, Challenging Behaviors, Early Childhood Mental Health, Early Development, Health & Nutrition, Mental Health Screening & Assessment Play, Promoting Social Emotional Development, Sleep, Temperament & Behavior.
The other section I spent a lot of time in was the Maltreatment section (http://www.zerotothree.org/maltreatment/). This section includes resources on responding to the needs of the youngest children and their families when they have been impacted by maltreatment, violence, loss, or disaster. The sections include: Child Abuse and Neglect, and Impact of Trauma.
The article “Getting Back to Basics” (http://main.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/BasicNeedsSingles_Mar5.pdf?docID=7863) talks about the struggles families have while living in poverty. It also states policy recommendations and also research information. The issue about poverty can be very controversial because some people believe everyone who is on welfare is lazy. This is normally not the case. I have seen the affects of poverty in young children and I know that there are lasting affects for those living in poverty. I think the policy recommendations could help fight poverty and give the children a better chance in life.
The Zero to Three website has a policy center. The ZERO TO THREE Policy Center (http://www.zerotothree.org/public-policy/) is a nonpartisan, research-based resource for federal and state policymakers and advocates on the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers. In this section you can find topics such as: Action Center, Building Early Childhood Systems, Federal Policy, Infant-Toddler Policy Issues, Policy Guide, State & Community Policy.
The last section that really caught my eye was the School Readiness Interactive Birth to 3 (http://www.zerotothree.org/early-care-education/school-readiness-interactive-birth-to-3/) - A web-based, interactive learning tool designed to help parents and caregivers support their young children’s early learning. You'll find age-based information on how children develop the four key skills—language and literacy skills, thinking skills, self-confidence and self-control—that are critical to later school success. I feel that this section is a wonderful resource that parents can use to help to make sure they are doing everything they can for their child.
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What are some policy recommendations does the site give on poverty?
ReplyDeleteTanya,
ReplyDeleteSome recommendations were:
1. Increase investment in child nutrition programs that reduce food insecurity for young children and ensure that benefits are adequate for a healthy diet.
2. Provide adequate housing and energy assistance to low-income families.
3. Implement welfare-to-work policies that support the developmental needs of infants and toddlers.
4. Support and expand tax policies for low-income families, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
5. Coordinate benefit programs and tax credits to ensure that working families receive the continuum of support needed to keep them out of poverty.
6. Eliminate administrative barriers to participation in benefit programs for low-income families.
Alison,
ReplyDeleteI think you did an awesome job with your post. I am interested in going to this site just to gain more knowledge. I am interested in the Behavior and Development section. I have a 19 month old baby boy and I am interested in reading some of those topics just to see where he falls. Thanks for the great info!