This guide helps families and caregivers carry out recommended practices described in the What Works Clearinghouse educator's practice guide, "Teaching Elementary School Students to be Effective Writers" (ED533112). It provides three tips for supporting writing skills at home: (1) Help children use the writing process for a variety of…

This article explores the essential relationship needs and capacities of infants, parents, practitioners, and supervisors in a story about reflective practice. The author shares her experience supervising a home visitor who is a trainee in an infant mental health intervention program. The home visitor's relationship with her supervisor was a…

Notes that the focus in early-childhood care has shifted to nurturing neurons, in keeping with research indicating that early social and emotional experiences are the seeds of human intelligence. Explores the elements of quality early care in preschool settings, highlighting sites across the country. (HTH)

Noting that child care arrangements are one of the most important decisions parents face, this videotape discusses characteristics to look for when evaluating a day care facility, either home-based or center-based. The 10-minute videotape suggests that parents' look for a facility in which the child will be both happy and safe, then outlines areas…

Noting that the number of grandparent-led families is increasing in the United States and that raising one's grandchildren can and should be a positive experience, this book is designed as a handbook for both grandparents and the professionals who advise them. Chapter 1, "Parenting Again," provides a checklist for the parenting…

This pamphlet from the Colorado State Board of Education lists activities that parents and caregivers should see in schools that are providing high-quality care and education for young children. The quality indicators are listed by age group (infant/toddler, 3- to 5-year-olds, 6- to 8-year-olds) and are presented as responses to the question,…

These six fact sheets from Child Care Aware are designed to help parents ease their children's transition to child care. The first fact sheet, "Before Your Child's First Day," discusses tips such as: (1) "prepare your child"; (2) read and look at picture books about child care; and (3) "prepare yourself." The second fact sheet, "First Day Tips,"…

Children's interactions with their special grown-ups affect everything in their lives, especially in their earliest years. And the relationships between those special people matter, too. When adult connections are caring and strong, parents, caregivers, and directors are motivated and empowered to work together to help children thrive. The book…

Attachment describes the unique human ability to form lasting relationships with others, and to maintain these relationships over time and distance. Research into attachment has shown that children have the potential to form many attachment relationships, and that each relationship can contribute to the child's growing sense of self. This booklet…

Offering hope to parents and practical guidelines for child care providers on how to use their imaginations, and those of their charges, to enrich children's minds and hearts, this book is a case study of the community created by the gifted director of a child care center. The book's narrative shows how the care providers combine teaching ability…

This paper asserts that the more enriching the interactions and experiences that parents and child caregivers provide to very young children, the more chances they are providing for growing neural connections and pathways in the brain to support language, reasoning, and planning skills; mental health and emotional well-being; and motor…

Intended to help parents ensure a safe and positive experience for their child's babysitters, this booklet provides helpful information for babysitters of children ages birth through 7 years. The booklet is divided into three major sections. Section 1 contains a letter to the babysitter regarding his or her responsibilities, suggested strategies…

As part of a series of booklets designed to support parents and carers of young children in the home, this issue explores the challenges that all young children face in learning to manage their feelings and emotions so they can be safe, optimistic, and enthusiastic about life and learning. Following an introductory section emphasizing the early…

Parents can make better decisions regarding a care setting for their toddler when they have information about how toddlers learn and about quality programs for toddlers. This brochure provides information to parents on how toddlers learn through play, exploration, and observation; the importance of toddlers learning at their own pace; and the role…

This book by a Montessori educator provides ideas and suggestions for parents, extended families, preschool teachers, and anyone who wants to gain a simple understanding of how and when to relate to a toddler in a supportive, not destructive, manner. The book addresses how to communicate with toddlers, how to avoid and resolve emotional conflict,…