RESOURCES

The Impact of Relationships-click here
Developmental Psychologist Uri Bronfenbrenner is frequently quoted for his idea that "every kid needs at least one adult who is crazy about him or her”. Over 60 years later, this statement still holds true and has been supported through research on the impact of relationships during the early childhood years and beyond. While the primary relationship for infants and young children is the parent/child relationship, relationships with other caregivers also have an impact on a child’s development and mental health.

What is Positive Behavior Support?-click here
Recently the US Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education released a joint policy statement on Expulsion and Suspension in Early Childhood settings. This policy statement highlighted that young children are removed from preschool settings at high rates and that this practice can negatively impact their educational and life outcomes. The policy statement also highlighted several recommendations to promote social emotional development in young children while preventing the need for expulsion or suspension practices; Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) was one of those recommendations.

Home Visiting: Supporting Parents and Children -click here
A knock on the front door can bring parents the support they need to nurture their young child’s development. Home visiting reaches families where they live by delivering parent support and child development services directly to the home environment1. Working with parents in their homes, home visitors support effective parenting skills and strengthen family functioning, emphasize safety in the home, promote maternal and child health, provide referrals and ensure access to needed services.

Early Childhood Mental Health Matters-click here
The first FOCUS on Early Childhood Mental Health factsheet, published in 2009, briefly answered the question, “What is early childhood mental health?” It defined early childhood mental health as “healthy social and emotional development in young children,” and provided tips for how to promote it. This 75th edition of the factsheet returns to the basics.

The Importance of Screening during the Early Childhood Years-click here
When a child is born we look into his or her eyes and see the potential for a bright future. For some children, healthy development may be full of struggles and supports are needed to achieve that bright future. Screening plays an important role in assessing a child’s development and provides early detection so that supports for children experiencing delays for any number of reasons can be identified.