With the sudden disruption of our daily lives in response to the COVID-19pandemic, Defending the Early Years (DEY) released special guidance and resources to help parents and educators support young children in adjusting and getting the most out of this unfamiliar experience. Read more ›
Many parents note that one silver lining of these scary and unprecedented times is the opportunity to spend much more time with their children. However, this increased attention can sometimes lead to more worries: is my child delayed? Are they reacting to the anxiety of these times? Or am I just more concerned and sensitive because of my own personal stress? Read more ›
Allowing your child to play is a must! A healthy balance between children playing on their own and having structured play with parents is important for early learning and development. Read more ›
At each age in a child’s life, there are predictable levels of skill to expect. We have outlined the developmental milestones for ages 1 to 18—a checklist you can use as you observe your child growing up, and a guide to use with your pediatrician or your child’s teacher. Read more ›
Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a Parent Information section with information on common parenting challenges? Among those resources are videos of the positive parenting skills. Read more ›
The use of science to inform learning and development can have profound results for children, particularly those in their first few years of life.
So say the experts—among them Randa Grob-Zakhary, a resident of Switzerland who holds doctoral degrees in neuroscience and medicine from Johns Hopkins University. Read more ›
Children’s understanding of adoption differs at different ages. A parent’s explanation of a child’s adoption will need to be explained more fully as the child grows and learns. The Child Welfare Information Gateway provides resources to inform families how to sensitively provide guidance to children at different ages and developmental levels. Read more ›
Adoption is a lifelong process. Families often need additional support at various times after placement and after the adoption is legally finalized. Families may need services as a child develops and as normal development, adjustment, and adoption-related issues arise. This article from find resources for adoptive families that explain what to expect at various developmental stages. Read more ›
The National Quality Improvement Center for Adoption and Guardianship Support and Preservation (QIC-AG) has developed two fact sheets about adoption tailored for teachers and pediatric healthcare providers. The fact sheets are designed to raise awareness about the unique needs of children who have been adopted, and to provide concrete tips on how these professionals can effectively work with these children. Read more ›
Child-adult relationships that are responsive and attentive—with lots of back and forth interactions—build a strong foundation in a child’s brain for all future learning and development. This is called “serve and return,” and it takes two to play! Follow these 5 steps to practice serve and return with your child. Read more ›
