What if we raised a dollar for each one of the nearly 9,000 Kansas children in Head Start and Early Head Start this #GivingTuesday? Find out more about the Dollar-Per-Child campaign here. https://www.ksheadstart.org/new-page-2/
Amazon Smile
Support KHSA when you shop on Cyber Monday. Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/48-1195593 and Amazon donates to Kansas Head Start Association.
Benefits of Bilingualism
Some families avoid speaking their native language at home for fear of confusing their children by presenting two languages at once. Actually, learning to be bilingual actually improves children’s concentration – and that enhanced focus offers lifelong advantages. To learn more, visit https://childandfamilyblog.com/bilingual-children-focus/
Engaging Families in Early Math Learning
Early math ability is one of the best predictors of children’s later success in school. This compilation of articles written by researchers and program developers was designed to provide families with guidance, inspiration, and motivation to support their young children’s mathematical development effectively.
https://globalfrp.org/content/download/83/561/file/Early%20Math%20FINE.pdf
Report: Adverse Childhood Experiences among U.S. children
Report on ACE events from:
http://www.cahmi.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/aces_brief_final.pdf
New study shows children in Head Start programs less likely to end up in foster care
“You get more consistency when you’re looking at head start. There are performance standards set by the federal government so there are minimums around quality, minimums around the types of services being provided, including services for parents.”
Making sure parents are involved may be the key as to why Head Start programs keep families together. Klein’s study didn’t answer why 93% of kids involved with Head Start didn’t end up in a foster home, but Head Start programs are known for making sure parents are involved.
Since 1965, Head Start programs have helped kids 5 and under living in poverty get exactly what the name implies according to CACS Head Start program director Mary Farrand, but says is doesn’t work without getting parents to be a part of the process.
Read more here: http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2017/head-start-may-protect-against-foster-care-placement/
The Basics of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
This resource introduces infant and early childhood mental health, discusses why it is important, and provides policy recommendations. https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/1951-the-basics-of-infant-and-early-childhood-mental-health
Developing Self-Control From 12-24 Months
Toddlers have minds of their own and strong feelings that they express with gusto. “No!” becomes a favorite word and a powerful way to assert their independence. Learn ways to help your toddler learn self-control from 12-24 months at https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/1287-developing-self-control-from-12-24-months
For 10 family ideas for calming a toddler tantrum, take a look at http://wellroundedny.com/handle-toddler-tantrum/
Child Care Advocacy Toolkit from "Zero to Three"
Emotionally nourishing relationships lay the foundation for lifelong health and well-being. As almost six million American infants and toddlers spend some part of their day with caregivers other than family members, it is critical that all children and families who need it have access to high-quality child care with knowledgeable and experienced providers. These resources from ZERO TO THREE offer facts about quality infant-toddler child care, talking points for engaging fellow community members and policymakers in conversations about child care, graphics that highlight the importance of access to high-quality child care within your social networks, and more.
https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/series/child-care-advocacy-toolkit
CHIP and MIECHV Funding Deadlines Missed
Lawmakers have missed two critical funding deadlines for programs that kids count on.
They failed to extend funding for the popular and bipartisan Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) before the September 30 deadline, which means health coverage for 9 million American children and 370,000 pregnant women is now in limbo. There’s a strong bill in the Senate (S. 1827) to fund CHIP for the next five years and another bill in the House (H.R. 3921) that’s a mixed bag.
They also missed the deadline to reauthorize another popular and bipartisan program: the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program, which funds evidence-based home visiting programs in every state to improve the early health, school readiness, and economic stability of families.
Press release courtesy of First Focus Campaign for Children
CHIP: https://campaignforchildren.org/…/after-missed-deadline-ca…/
MIECHV: https://campaignforchildren.org/…/saturday-miechv-to-expir…/
Please call your federal representatives to support both a clean CHIP bill and a reauthorization of MIECHV funding. https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials