Social Competency
Parents want to help children grow up to feel confident and secure. But the markers of social competency in young children can be hard to spot. But there are signs to look for. Listen now to find out more.
Resources
What is the best way to assess young children's social competence? (Illinois Early Learning Project)
Development of Social-Emotional Skills (Zero to Three)
Helping Young Children Succeed: Strategies to Promote Early Childhood Social and Emotional Development (Zero to Three)
Development of Social-Emotional Skills (Zero to Three)
Helping Young Children Succeed: Strategies to Promote Early Childhood Social and Emotional Development (Zero to Three)
Routines
Ever wish you could take a break from the routine? Well, for very young children routines build a sense of security and self-confidence. They may also help children do better in school and be more successful adults.
Resources
Kids with Family Routines are Emotionally and Socially More Advanced (Huffington Post)
Family Routines and Social-Emotional School Readiness Among Preschool-Age Children (Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics)
Love, Learning, and Routines (Zero to Three)
Family Routines and Social-Emotional School Readiness Among Preschool-Age Children (Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics)
Love, Learning, and Routines (Zero to Three)
Maryland Excels
Do you want to know how your child care provider stacks up against others? The Maryland State Department of Education's Maryland EXCELS program can tell you just that. When a child care provider or public pre-K classroom enrolls in the EXCELS program, quality assurance specialists from MSDE verify that all the standards have been met. That means, in general, the more standards that are met, the better the care and education for our children.
Resources
Locate: Child Care
Reliable child care is just a phone call away. Take the time to make the right choice—the first five years last forever. Early childhood development occurs rapidly, so choosing a reliable care provider is critically important. LOCATE: Child Care, a FREE phone referral service, can help you make the right choice. Call one of our specialists who will take the time you need to: • discuss care preferences—program type, location, costs, more • search our database of child care programs in Maryland • provide options available in your neighborhood or near your workplace Call us right now at 877.261.0061 or explore LOCATE: Child Care for more information.
Resources
Choosing Child Care (Maryland Family Network—LOCATE: Child Care)
Choosing Child Care for Children with Special Needs (Maryland Family Network—LOCATE: Child Care)
Choosing Child Care for Children with Special Needs (Maryland Family Network—LOCATE: Child Care)
Picky Eaters
Got a picky eater at home? Relax. It's not uncommon for young children to turn down a new food up to 15 times before they even try it. Zero to Three has some ideas that may help around your dinner table.
Resources
Healthy Eating Strategies for Young Children (Zero to Three)
10 Tips for Picky Eaters (Mayo Clinic)
Feeding the Picky Eater: 17 Tips (Ask Dr. Sears)
10 Tips for Picky Eaters (Mayo Clinic)
Feeding the Picky Eater: 17 Tips (Ask Dr. Sears)
Get Moving
Young children are naturally active. So if we give them plenty of room and opportunity to move, they'll literally jump at the chance. Children who exercise are healthier physically and emotionally. Here are some ways to get kids moving.
Resources
Kids and Exercise (KidsHealth.org—Nemours Center for Children’s Health Media)
Recommendations for Physical Activity in Children (American Heart Association)
Seven Games to Get Kids Moving (Grandparents.com)
Recommendations for Physical Activity in Children (American Heart Association)
Seven Games to Get Kids Moving (Grandparents.com)
Family Disaster Preparedness
Young children have needs that we often take for granted when the sky is blue. But are you prepared for how to help them when disaster strikes? We have information about how your family can be prepared for whatever Mother Nature sends our way. A little planning now can save lives when disaster strikes.
Resources
Parent-Caregiver Communication
When you find a child care provider who's just right, you know your little one is in a safe nurturing environment. But there is more to it than dropping off in the morning and picking up after work. For the wellbeing of the child, both parents and caregivers owe it to each other to communicate.
Resources
Parent-Caregiver Communication: Making it Work for Your Child (Child Care Aware)
Importance of Caregiver-Parent Communication (GlobalPost)
Effective Communication With Parents (Zero to Three)
Importance of Caregiver-Parent Communication (GlobalPost)
Effective Communication With Parents (Zero to Three)
Math
Math helps children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The developing brain is not only ready to learn and use language, it is also capable of learning and using math and scientific thinking. It is important to practice and develop these skills early.
Resources
Developing Early Math Skills (Zero to Three)
Math Talk With Infants and Toddlers (NAEYC)
What Explains Toddlers' Linguistic Leap? Math. (Scientific American)
Math Talk With Infants and Toddlers (NAEYC)
What Explains Toddlers' Linguistic Leap? Math. (Scientific American)
Communication
From the day they're born, children communicate in many ways. The national nonprofit Zero to Three has some tips to help parents encourage language development in babies.