Monthly Archives: June 2013

Re-inventing the wheel

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I’ve been banging my head against the wall reading all the hype about Hillary Clinton (and the Clinton foundation) partnering up to create a new organization to promote the importance of early childhood development.

There are plenty, high profile agencies and researchers that have been in the trenches for a long time (think Head Start, Zero to Three, NAEYC, The Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) or individuals like Dr. Barry Brazelton and Dr. William Sears). Why on earth do they need to pour money into the promotion of another agency? What will they do differently? Perhaps they have the money for a splashy website and videos….but we already know these are the formative years.

To me, this is a waste of time and money. Where were the policy changes during President Clinton’s years in office? I feel the most influence could have come by changing employee benefits, prioritizing family and funding during that time. If the Clinton’s want to invest in early childhood development it seems it would be more beneficial if they either connect with the existing agencies listed above (as I’m sure they have TO DO lists a mile long) or go work in a day care.

 

 

A Dad’s View On What Its Like To Have A Child With Autism

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This article by David Mitchell, is one of the most honest accounts of a family’s joys and heartbreaks while raising a child with autism. As someone who has worked with children with special needs and in the early intervention system, it is a story that many can learn from. Perhaps it can help change those stares that strangers give and create a system that is actually manageable and offers support to families instead of barriers.

The second part of this article is an excerpt from a book called ‘Living is a battle’: growing up with autism by 13 -year-old Naoki Higashida. An absolutely stunning description of his view on autism and being in the world and a book that gave David Mitchell some solace. 


Cross-lateral movement

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I found these articles that help explain why cross-lateral movement is important as children grow. If you’ve been in my class, you might remember the discussion and playful moves that we did to encourage these patterns. As babies should be crossing midline by 8 months, you have a good visual marker of their neurological development. This skill that begins by their first birthday, lays the foundation for reading and writing as they grow.

Want to read more? Here are the blog posts:

Sense of Wonder

Sharin’ with Sharron

 

 

 

 

 

Low-Tech Toys Are Better For Young Kids

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Although there is no long term studies about how technology is effecting early childhood development, we are beginning to find smaller short term studies coming out like this one.

Also, here is another link to an article I posted on my blog in 2011. It is entitled “Parents Urged Again To Limit TV for Youngest” and at the end of the post there is a link Michael Krasny’s show Forum, where they discussed the first long term study that is underway.

In response to these thoughts, this article from Wired Dad takes the top prize as my favorite article as to what toys are actually best.