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)
Spring Has Sprung!
Spring has sprung, so head outside with your little learner! Children are born ready to explore, and the great outdoors is full of opportunities for them to engage all five senses in new and wonderful ways.
Resources
Take it Outside! (Early Childhood News)
Natural Play in the Preschool Yard (Community Playthings)
Irvine Nature Center
Natural Play in the Preschool Yard (Community Playthings)
Irvine Nature Center
Favoritism Hurts
When it comes to favoritism among children, perception matters most. In fact, a recent study shows that children who view themselves as slightly less favored by parents, are almost twice as likely as those who do not have this perception, to use alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs. Listen to find out what researchers recommend to avoid this problem.
Resources
Why Parents Shouldn't Play Favorites (Brigham Young University)
The Growing Need For Inclusive Child Care
The demand for child care to accommodate children with special needs is substantial. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say one in 68 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder each year. Thankfully, Maryland Family Network’s LOCATE: Child Care is here to help.
Resources
Mother's Healing Powers
Children find a mother’s voice comforting. And now, researchers at Harvard Medical School think it might have healing powers, too. Listen find out more.
Resources
Babies Rely on Mother’s Voice and Heartbeat to Develop Healthy Brains (PBS)
Mother’s voice and heartbeat sounds elicit auditory plasticity in the human brain before full gestation (Proceedings of the National Academy of Science)
Mother’s voice and heartbeat sounds elicit auditory plasticity in the human brain before full gestation (Proceedings of the National Academy of Science)
Teachers Worth Investing In
One the most influential teachers a child may ever have is in an early care and education setting. Yet the pay for child care professionals is often close to the same wage as fast food workers. This has been the case for far too long and a change is due.
Resources
Worthy Work, STILL Unlivable Wages: The Early Childhood Workforce 25 Years after the National Child Care Staffing Study (Center for the Study of Child Care Employment)
2015 Child Care Demographics (Maryland Family Network)
2015 Child Care Demographics (Maryland Family Network)
More Benefits Of Pre-K
Children enrolled in state-supported pre-Kindergarten programs are less likely to be placed in special education according to a new study by Duke University. This leads researchers to believe that early childhood education can address developmental delays in children prior to a child enrolling in Kindergarten.
Resources
Impact of North Carolina’s Early Childhood Initiatives on Special Education Placements in Third Grade (American Educational Research Association)
Study Finds Preschool Programs Lower Special Education Referrals (EdSource)
Study Finds Preschool Programs Lower Special Education Referrals (EdSource)