Links of Interest:

Webinars:

Improving Children's Health Through Federal Collaboration Web: Children's Environmental Health Research, Thursday, August 9, 2012, 4:00pm- 5:30pm EST (2:00pm- 3:300pm MST)

The EPA and NIEHS Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers Program ("Children's Centers") was established in 1998 to explore ways to reduce children's health risks from environmental factors. The long-range goals of the program include understanding how environmental factors affect children's health and promoting translation of basic research findings into intervention and prevention methods to prevent adverse health outcomes. This session will share current research and discuss how the Children's Centers foster research collaborations among basic, clinical, and behavioral scientists with engagement and participation from local communities. Register here.

Engaging the Business Community: Learnings from Maine Early Learning Investment Group: Wednesday August 22, 2012, 10:00am-11:30am EST

Introduction by Donna Overcash, Child Policy Consultant, MCGC/MELIG; led by Steve Rowe, former Maine Attorney General and Lifetime Child Advocate.  RSVP by emailing Kelley Bowley at kelleyb@skcdc.org

Publications:

"2012 Kids Count Data Book"

Positive Parenting: The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities is currently featuring an article on positive parenting on their CDC en Español website.  The article highlights information for parents about child development and provides tips for parents to help their children learn and grow. 

"Look Before You Lock": 15 children have already died in 2012 from heat stroke after being left in unattended vehicles.  In 2011, a total of 33 similar deaths were confirmed. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is taking an active role in getting the word out about the safe transportation of children.  ACF has teamed up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Safe Kids USA to promote the "Look Before You Lock Campaign."  Linda Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development at ACF, speaks to Head Start and child care providers about the importance of double checking cars, vans and buses for children that may have been left behind. You can learn more by watching Linda's webcast and visiting her blog.  For further information about the campaign visit www.nhtsa.gov or www.safekids.org. 

Integrated Approach to Child Development: The Policy Lab at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recently published a brief on the subject of creating an integrated approach to child development.  You may access the brief in PDF form by clicking here. 

From nectac e-notes: (national early childhood technical assistance center)

New Brief Discusses Technology in Early Education:

The Education Commission of the States recently released the brief "Technology in Early Education: Building Platforms for Connections and Content that Strengthen Families and Promote Success in School".  The brief discusses the growing use of electronic media among young children; the new digital divides between rich and poor, rural and urban children; and what states can do to ensure the thoughtful adoption of new technologies and interactive media by early childhood programs.  (source: The Progress of Education Reform, vol. 13, no.4, August 2012)

Starting Well: Benchmarking Early Education Across the World:

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), commissioned by the Lien Foundation, has issued a new report, Starting Well: Benchmarking Early Education Across the World(2012).  The report looks at the extent to which 45 countries provide a good preschool environment for children between the ages of three and six, specifically considering the relative availability, affordability and quality of preschool. Some of the key findings show that Finland, Sweden and Norway perform best, while many high-income countries rank poorly (including the U.S, which ranked 24th). The lower ranking for the U.S. is not because quality preschool programs are lacking, but because they are not available or affordable to all strands of society and quality standards vary widely from one area of the country to another.

First Findings from the Kindergarten Rounds of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study:

First-Time Kindergarteners in 2010-2011: First Findings from the Kindergarten Rounds of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010-11 (ECLS-K:2011).  Source: National Center for Education Statistics, retrieved July 25, 2012. 

From ReadyNation:

Federal Reserve Chairman Supports Early Childhood:

In a recorded message, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke stated that "Neuroscientists observe that if the first few years of a child's life include support for healthy development in families and communities, the child is more likely to succeed in school and to contribute to society as an adult." His remarks went further to emphasize the critical role early childhood programs play in preparing children for success.

The Benefits of Early Childhood Programs: Sara Watson, director of ReadyNation, provided an interview with the Cost-Benefit Knowledge Bank for Criminal Justice the importance of investing in quality early childhood programs. The interview specifically covered on how these investments can produce strong economic returns to society. Click here to read part 1, or click here to read part 2 of the interview.