Sharing from our partners at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation
EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION
Tip Sheets to Support Self-Regulation Development in Infants and Toddlers
Self-regulation includes cognitive, emotional, and behavioral skills and processes that support children in coping with strong feelings, controlling impulses, learning, and getting along with others. Self-regulation develops through interactions with caregivers and the broader environment over an extended period from birth through young adulthood. These documents, from OPRE, provide tips to help caregivers use co-regulation to support the early development of self-regulation skills in infants and toddlers. The tip sheets are organized by age, one focuses on infants(birth -1 year old) and the other focus on toddlers (1-2 years old). In addition, the snapshot resource summarizes key self-regulation concepts and interventions that may be helpful for parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers.
Launching Young Readers Series
Launching Young Readers is a PBS series designed for teachers, parents, caregivers, and anyone else interested in helping children learn to read. Based on the latest research findings, the series consists of twelve 30-minute episodes that explore the stages of reading that every child goes through. The episodes feature the country’s top reading experts, look at different reading strategies, provide practical advice for parents and interweave the personal stories of children, families and teachers. You can access the episodes online along with the viewer guides created specifically for parents, teachers and caregivers.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Tummy Time
Tummy time is not only one of the ways to prevent flat spots on baby’s head, it also helps strengthen baby’s neck and arm muscles, which is an important part of the baby’s growth and development. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends giving baby tummy time when he or she is awake and someone is watching. Tummy time may seem challenging for baby, but it can be a fund bonding time overall. Consider these tummy time tips:
- Spread out a blanket on a clear area of the floor.
- Try short sessions after a diaper change or after baby wakes from a nap.
- Put a toy or toys within baby’s reach to help him or her learn to play and interact with his or her surroundings.
- Ask someone you trust to sit in front of baby to encourage interaction and bonding.
- As baby gets older, your sessions can last longer, and you can have them more often throughout the day.
The AAP’s resource, Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play, offers additional information about the importance of tummy time, ways to exercise baby during tummy time, other tummy time activities, and ways to reduce the risk of baby developing a flat spot. For more information on infant safe sleep, visit www.michigan.gov/safesleep.
June is Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Month
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that a woman may get during pregnancy and pass to her unborn child. CMV is a leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. Learn more about CMV through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service,Michigan Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program or at the National CMV Foundation website. A prevention brochure is also available from the Michigan Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program.
PARENT EDUCATION
Summer Reading Tips to Go
These summer reading tips, from Reading Rockets, provide ideas to jump-start reading, writing, and simple science activities for parents and their children. Parents will receive 3-4 messages each week, all summer long. These quick tips can support a summer full of learning and fun and are available in English and Spanish! For instructions on how to sign up, click here.
The Great Start Weekly Communications Bulletin is a technical assistance and training product of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.
Great Start Technical Assistance and Training
Toll-free Helpline: 1.855.790.4900
Email: greatstartta@ecic4kids.org
Funding from the Office of Great Start within the Michigan Department of Education supports the implementation of Great Start.
