Through the Eyes of a Health Professional

This month we would like to look through the eyes of health professionals making a positive difference in the field of early childhood education.  From pediatricians to child care health consultants, to positive behavioral specialists and more, we want to talk about the importance of addressing all the domains of child development and specific tools that you can utilize in your own community.

Research clearly demonstrates that a child’s social and emotional health is an absolute predictor of academic achievement and more and more early childhood settings are problem solving about how to ensure they are providing high quality programs and support services for both teachers and children.

Just as a child will not be successful in school if she has a toothache, cannot see properly, or is hungry; she will also not be school ready if she is experiencing emotional problems.

“Emotional well-being and social competence provide a strong foundation for emerging cognitive abilities.  Together they are the ‘bricks and mortar’ of the foundation of human development…Preschool teachers should know as much about social and emotional development as teaching literacy.  We in the early childhood community haven’t done a good job of developing that.”
     
Jack Shonkoff , Director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

Helpful Tools:

2007 Statewide Survey Results of Behavioral and Emotional Difficulties in Child Care

Relevant Research, Reports, and Articles

Key Organizations Dedicated to Promoting the Healthy Development of Children Ages Birth to Five

Opinion Editorial Article “A Book a Day Keeps the Doctor Away”

Community Resources:

Child Care Health Consultants and Healthy Child Care Texas

Docs for Tots Advocacy Toolkit for Doctors  

I Am Your Child Parenting Guides  

The Positive Behavioral Support Program and Training

Raising Texas and the Texas Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Plan

Relevant Events:

University of North Texas 16th Annual Parent Education Conference, February 13th.  For more information, visit www.taimh.org  

ZERO TO THERE Webinar Series, February 28th. For more information, visit www.birthtofivepolicy.org