Indispensable Policies & Practices for High-Quality Pre-K (PDF)
Indispensable Policies & Practices for High-Quality Pre-K (PDF)
This September 2017 report examines recent research and studies regarding preschool programs and quality standards, and summarizes those policies and practices essential for sustaining high-quality pre-K education. There are six core themes covered in the report: Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment, Family Engagement, Funding, P-3 Alignment, Program Improvement and Workforce Support.
Evaluating California’s System for Serving Infants and Toddlers with Special Needs
Published: Jan 4, 2018 | Legislative Analyst’s Office
In 2015-16, California provided early intervention services to about 41,000 infants and toddlers with special needs. These infants and toddlers either have a disability (such as a visual or hearing impairment) or a significant developmental delay (such as not beginning to speak or walk when expected). California’s early intervention system consists of three programs administered by two types of local agencies-schools and regional centers for persons with developmental disabilities. This report provides the first comprehensive analysis of this system since it was established in 1993. The report has three main sections. We first provide background on California’s early intervention system, then assess this system, and conclude by recommending several ways to improve the system.
California Association for Infant Mental Health ( CalAIMH)
The purpose of the California Association for Infant Mental Health (CalAIMH), launched at the Zero to Three conference in 2017, is to bring together as a common voice organizations and individuals who promote caregiver-child relational approaches to both prevent and heal adversity in young children prenatally to five. The mission is to bridge and connect a transdisciplinary, relationally-informed community across California that collaborates and advocates on behalf of children and families prenatally to age five. The Infant Development Association is partnering with the CalAIMH as the fiscal sponsor. The California Center for Infant Family and Early Childhood Mental Health continues to provide endorsement for infant-family and early childhood professionals based on the California Compendium of Training Guidelines, Personnel Competencies, and Professional Endorsement Criteria for Infant-Family and Early Mental Health. Many of the members of the leadership team of The California Center for Infant Family and Early Childhood Mental Health helped to form the CalAIMH. For more information about how you can be involved visit the CalAIMH website.
Milestone Tracker Mobile App
Milestones matter! Track your child’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with CDC’s easy-to-use illustrated checklists; get tips from CDC for encouraging your child’s development; and find out what to do if you are ever concerned about how your child is developing. From birth to age 5, your child should reach milestones in how he or she plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves. Photos and videos in this app illustrate each milestone and make tracking them for your child easy and fun!
Trauma Guide from Healthy Foster Care America and American Academy of Pediatrics
Healthy Foster Care America (HFCA) is an initiative of the AAP and its partners to improve the health and well-being outcomes of children and teens in foster care.
- Trauma Toolbox for Primary Care
This 6-part series of research briefs, available in English and Spanish, was designed with the primary care practice in mind – those who may or may not be familiar with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the process of asking families about exposure to ACEs or other traumatic events. It includes information on trauma for pediatricians and handouts for parents. - Helping Foster and Adoptive Families Cope with Trauma: A Guide for Pediatricians (PDF)
Piplo Productions
The mission of Piplo Productions is to help children and families recover after stressful or traumatic events by using story, clinical psychology and cute characters.
Free Stories and Resources to Help Children Cope with Their Emotions
Once I Was Very Very Scared Published: 2017
This story is about a little squirrel who announces that he was once very, very, scared and finds out that he is not alone. Lots of little animals went through scary experiences, but they react in different ways. Turtle hides and gets a tummy ache, monkey clings, dog barks, and elephant doesn’t like to talk about it. They need help, and they get help from grown-ups who help them feel safe and learn ways to cope with difficult feelings.Written by Chandra Ghosh Ippen, Ph.D., Associate Director of the Child Trauma Research Program at UCSF, to help children and grown-ups (parents, teachers, and other important adults) understand how stress can affect children and ways to help them. It was released in 2017, is available for free download along with activities using the characters in the story. Other stories, The Trinka and Sam series, were developed to help children and their families after natural disasters. Stories are available in English, Spanish, and Turkish.
Stories for purchase:
You Weren’t With Me Published: Feb 2019
Little Rabbit and Big Rabbit are together after a difficult separation, but even though they missed each other, Little Rabbit is not ready to cuddle up and receive Big Rabbit’s love. Little Rabbit needs Big Rabbit to understand what it felt like when they were apart. “Sometimes I am very mad. I don’t understand why you weren’t with me,” says Little Rabbit, “I worry you will go away again.” Big Rabbit listens carefully and helps Little Rabbit to feel understood and loved. This story was designed to help parents and children talk about difficult separations, reconnect, and find their way back to each other.