My Connections to Play

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Sharing Web Resources

This week I have explore the Zero to Three Website. I absolutely love this organization and each time I have visited this site I come away with valuable information.

Zero to Three is a national, nonprofit organization that provides parents, professionals and policy makers with the knowledge to nurture early childhood development.  The zero to three website has resources for anyone wanting information on early childhood development.  To access the website click this link www.zerotothree.org.

At the bottom of the homepage I discovered the Featured Update.  I knew that I wanted to read more because I saw ZERO TO THREE applauds the President for making babies and toddlers a priority in his 2014 budget proposal, with a substantial investment in early learning.  As an infant teacher I am always looking for information that will help me have a better understanding of my sweet babies.  In the press release ZERO TO THREE wants to make readers aware that President Obama is has made toddlers and babies priority in his 2014 budget proposal, with a substantial investment in early learning.

Below you can read the release from ZERO TO THREE


“The release of President Obama’s budget today marks a groundbreaking moment for babies and toddlers in this country --especially those who are at risk and may lack the positive early learning experiences they need to succeed in school and life, ” says Matthew Melmed, Executive Director of ZERO TO THREE. “I applaud President Obama for his leadership in emphasizing how important it is as a nation for us to begin where learning begins – at birth.”
The President’s Plan for Early Education for All Americans is the roadmap for the early learning components of the budget released today.  The budget includes $1.4 billion to expand the comprehensive supports offered to the most vulnerable families through Early Head Start – which for almost 20 years has proven it improves both child and parental outcomes. The plan would provide $200 million in 2014 specifically to create more high-quality child care options for babies and toddlers with working parents, using Early Head Start’s quality benchmarks, expertise, and resources. Looking ahead, the budget proposal provides for $7 billion over 10 years to ensure young children and families have access to high-quality child care.
The President’s plan also extends and expands home visiting -- which has been warmly embraced by states, communities, and parents -- to reach more families where they live, with information, guidance, and encouragement.  The budget proposal released today allocates $15 billion of funding over 10 years to invest in this effort.  “Babies don’t come with an instruction manual, and every parent can benefit from reliable information about early learning and a helping hand,” says Melmed.  “The President’s plan helps parents utilize what science and evidence-based practice has to offer in order to give babies, toddlers, and young children the best start in life.”
The President’s plan is rooted in brain science, which tells us that babies are born wired to learn. Starting on the first day of a child’s life, positive early experiences establish a strong foundation upon which all later learning and healthy development is built. But infants and toddlers who lack quality early learning experiences can fall quickly behind.  Research clearly shows that gaps can appear even before their first birthday.
The President’s plan builds on what we know works: start early with consistent, high-quality, evidence-based supports that match what parents need and help parents nurture the early development of their babies and toddlers.  
“This is a smart plan. We know what quality looks like and what babies need,” concludes Melmed.  “By leveraging what we know works to help families, our nation can improve the care for babies and give them a strong start toward future success.”
I am so excited that Early Childhood is high on the President's list!!  They are finally getting it and soon all children will have access to quality education!
Resources
Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families http://www.zerotothree.org/




2 comments:

  1. One program I reall enjoy is the Head Start Program. This program is geared for early childhood development and health services for children and their families. The head start programs focus on children 3- 5 years old. With this curriculum we fuscous on the child’s cognitive language, social and emotional, and their physical development. This requires a lot of work that comes from the parent and teacher working together. At the beginning of this program each family is informed about the partnership agreement process. This is to ensure that all families stay involved in their child’s developmental process throughout the program. Much support is given to the families as they observe and participate in their child’s education with the Head Start Program. The cost to attend a Headstart Program is free to families that qualify. The program is funded by the government to local grantee.

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  2. Keli,
    I am very excited about the light the president continues to shine on the early childhood field and the importance of teaching our children early. My speciality is infants and toddlers too so any time people are made more aware of this group my thumbs go up.

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