Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire!
Liar, liar, pants on fire! We’ve all heard this chant. But when does lying begin? And how do we teach children to not tell fibs?
Resources
When Children Lie (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Choosing Chores
Lots of parents want to instill in their children the values of hard work and teamwork. At home, the opportunity to practice this often involves chores that children- even little kids- can help with. But choosing the right chores, and the right messages, matters.
Resources
Why Children Need Chores (Wall Street Journal)
Age-Appropriate Chores for Children (The New York Times)
Age-Appropriate Chores for Children (The New York Times)
Happy Anniversary Head Start!
Head Start just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Over 31 million children have benefitted from Head Start and Early Head Star to become business and community leaders, teachers, Members of Congress, athletes, Grammy-winning musicians, poets, and parents. But more work needs to be done to expand early learning opportunities like this to all families who need and want it.
Resources
Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grant Orientation (Margaret's Blog, Maryland Family Network)
Maryland Family Network’s Family Support Centers and Early Head Start (Maryland Family Network)
Maryland Head Start Association
Office of Head Start
Maryland Family Network’s Family Support Centers and Early Head Start (Maryland Family Network)
Maryland Head Start Association
Office of Head Start
Secondhand Smoke And Kids
Secondhand smoke can lead to multiple health complications. Adults have the option to walk away from smoke but children don’t always have that choice. Learn more about the risks to children who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.
Resources
Secondhand Smoke (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Harm to Kids From Secondhand Smoke (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)
The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Protect Your Loved Ones From Secondhand Smoke (SmokeFree.Gov)
Harm to Kids From Secondhand Smoke (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)
The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Protect Your Loved Ones From Secondhand Smoke (SmokeFree.Gov)
Lead Poisoning
One in five children in the U.S. has unsafe levels of lead in his blood stream. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious problems for children. Know what to look for and how to avoid lead poisoning.
Resources
Reading Lasts A Lifetime
You may not get a paycheck, but if you’re a volunteer you’ve got a very important job. Especially if it involves helping young children learn how to read.
Resources
Read with Me (U.S. Department of Education)
Minnesota Reading Corps Evaluation (Corporation for National and Community Service)
Preschool Boosts Reading Skills Later (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
Baby Reading Milestones (PBS Parents)
Minnesota Reading Corps Evaluation (Corporation for National and Community Service)
Preschool Boosts Reading Skills Later (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
Baby Reading Milestones (PBS Parents)
Media Violence
When it comes to kids and their viewing habits, your involvement can be the difference between a child who grows up and tunes in to success...or tunes out.
Resources
PBS Kids
Psychologists Study Media Violence for Harmful Effects (American Psychological Association)
Where We Stand: TV Viewing Time (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Media Violence in Children’s Lives (NAEYC)
The Center for Media Literacy
Psychologists Study Media Violence for Harmful Effects (American Psychological Association)
Where We Stand: TV Viewing Time (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Media Violence in Children’s Lives (NAEYC)
The Center for Media Literacy
Go Nuts!
Developmental psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner said children need "the enduring, irrational involvement of one or more adults in care of and in joint activity with that child. In short, somebody has to be crazy about that kid." So, go nuts! Show a child you’re crazy about them.
Resources
The Vision of Urie Bronfenbrenner: Adults Who are Crazy About Kids (The International Child and Youth Care Network)
Resilience and Recovery: Findings form the Kauai Longitudinal Study (Portland State University)
Resilience and Recovery: Findings form the Kauai Longitudinal Study (Portland State University)
Positive Discipline
Discipline means "to teach." By using positive discipline we help our children avoid negative behaviors. Listen now for way to use positive discipline in your household.
Resources
Using Positive Discipline: A Guide for Child Care Providers (Maryland Family Network)
7 Steps for Positive Discipline (PBS Parents)
7 Steps for Positive Discipline (PBS Parents)
The Changing Faces Of Families
What we mean when we say "family" has changed dramatically over the years. But despite these changes, what matters most has stayed the same.
Resources
Centre for Family Research (University of Cambridge)
Parenting (Human Rights Campaign)
We are All Alike, We are All Different (By Cheltenham Elementary Kindergartners)
Diversity and Inclusion in Early Care and Education (Child Development Associate™ (CDA) National Credential)
Parenting (Human Rights Campaign)
We are All Alike, We are All Different (By Cheltenham Elementary Kindergartners)
Diversity and Inclusion in Early Care and Education (Child Development Associate™ (CDA) National Credential)