2009 September/October’s posting of resources includes links toearly childhood resources.
4 early literacy resources
1 resource on diverse learners
4 resources on early childhood social emotional development
2 resources on the benefits and promotion of early childhood programs
3 resources regarding the H1N1 and early childhood
A toolkit for advancing the early childhood agenda in the Latino community
1. Early Literacy Resources
Interested in a new resource for supporting early literacy? Consider I Can Read Songs. This set of instructional resources was developed through a non-profit organization, I CAN READ, Inc. The songs teach children to read and write 13 high-frequency sight words by embedding them in memorable music. Children sing along and dance along as they learn to read and write the words. Later activities connect the same words to reading little books and writing messages. The I Can Read Songs approach has been used to boost early literacy skills. The materials have been used to engage diverse young learners (3-6 years old) with attention issue s, language delays, or limited exposure to print, and to promote collaboration with families.
Song Scores, Big Words, Sing-Along Charts, Sing-Along Take Homes, First Books and Second Books are all available to download at http://www.icanreadsongs.org. A teacher set (CD, DVD, and charts) ordinarily sells for $15.00 when part of an I CAN READ Songs Family Involvement Literacy Project. As a special treat for Natural Resources subscribers, the creator of I Can Read Songs will send a free DVD or CD of I Can Read Songs to the first 50 people who respond. To claim your prize, email LaDonna Wicklund at
2. Introductory Guide for Early Language and Emergent Literacy Instruction
Source: National Center for Family Literacy - Retrieved September 18, 2009
The National Center for Family Literacy has published an introductory guide describing ways in which teachers can use research effectively for early language and emergent literacy instruction. What Works: An Introductory Guide for Early Language and Emergent Literacy Instruction (2009), by Donna Bell and Laura Westberg, is based on the report of the National Early Literacy Panel that was released last year, entitled Developing Early Literacy: A Scientific Synthesis of Early Literacy Development and Implications for Intervention (2008)
To access the Introductory Guide, go to http://www.famlit.org/pdf/what-works.pdf
To access the National Early Literacy Panel report, go to http://www.nifl.gov/publications/pdf/NELPReport09.pdf
3. What Works Clearinghouse Releases Report on "Let’s Begin with the Letter People"
Source: What Works Clearinghouse, Institute of Education Sciences - September 8, 2009
The What Works Clearinghouse at the Institute of Education Sciences has released a new early childhood education report on Let’s Begin with the Letter People, an early education curriculum that uses 26 thematic units to develop children’s language and early literacy skills. To access the report go to http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/reports/early_ed/lblp/index.asp
4. Early Language and Literacy Parent-Child Activities Now Available in Vietnamese
Source: Washington Learning Systems - October 1, 2009
Washington Learning Systems has recently added a Vietnamese language version of their free On-the-Go parent-child activities. These materials include 14 activities designed to be used outside the home: in the car, while walking, during bus rides, etc. They encourage early language and literacy development from birth through preschool and are appropriate for both children with disabilities and children who are developing typically. The development of these materials was supported in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). They are available online at http://www.walearning.com/parent-tools/on-the-go/
5. Helping Educators Improve Learning in Diverse Classrooms
As part of an effort to improve the teaching of students of color, the Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance program has launched a new online initiative. The Teaching Diverse Students Initiative (TDSI) offers interactive multimedia tools to help educators improve learning opportunities and outcomes for racially and ethnically diverse students. TDSI is the first set of professional development tools specifically designed to improve teaching practices and school conditions that, while important for all students, are especially productive for students of color. TDSI's resources include learning activities, case studies, video of effective practice, reports and articles, and video commentary by leading researchers.
School districts interested in working with TDSI should contact Michelle Garcia at . The research-based tools of TDSI are available free of charge. Read more: http://www.tolerance.org/TDSI
6. Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood: What Every Policymaker Should Know
Source: National Center for Children in Poverty – Retrieved August 19, 2009
The national Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) has published a new brief entitled Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood: What Every Policymaker Should Know (2009), by Janice L. Cooper, Rachel Masi, and Jessica Vick. The brief summarizes the results of a survey on states' efforts to maximize the impact of current policies to provide effective child development and prevention services to young children, especially those at risk for social and emotional delays, and makes recommendations for how to better support these children. It is available online at http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_882.html
7. New Resources on the Pyramid Model for Promoting Children's Social and Emotional Development
Source: TACSEI and CSEFEL - Retrieved October 7, 2009
The Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children (TACSEI) and the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) recently announced the following new resources on implementing the Pyramid Model to help promote young children’s social, emotional and behavioral competence.
Pyramid Model for Promoting the Social and Emotional Development of Infants and Young Children Factsheet. TACSEI. (2009) - This 4-page fact sheet briefly describes the three tiers of intervention practice and outlines six key assumptions that were made during the design process about how the Pyramid Model would be implemented - http://www.challengingbehavior.org/do/resources/documents/pyramid_model_fact_sheet.pdf
State Collaborative Planning Tool Kit. CSEFEL. (2009) - This tool kit pulls together in one place several resources, tools, samples, and state product examples to help states in state-wide Pyramid Model planning - http://www.vanderbilt.edu/csefel/states/pyramid_planning_toolkit.pdf
8. What Works? A Study of Effective Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Programs
Source: Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development - September 29, 2009
The Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development (GUCCHD) has released a new report entitled What Works? A Study of Effective Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Programs. Through in-depth site visits to six consultation programs with demonstrated positive child, family, early care and education (ECE) provider and/or ECE program outcomes, this report explores the question: What are the essential components of effective mental health consultation programs? It also highlights tips and examples around program outreach, consultant hiring/training, service delivery, fostering positive consultant/consultee relationships, evaluation and other key topics.
The Full Study Report, Executive Summary and Study Fact Sheet can be downloaded at http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/78358.html. In addition, the report's online Resource Compendium provides resources to assist in designing, implementing and evaluating early childhood mental health consultation programs. For more information or to request hard copies of the Executive Summary or Fact Sheet, contact Frances Duran at
9. Now Available in Spanish - Parent Training Modules on Promoting Children’s Social and Emotional Skills
Source: Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning - Retrieved September 10, 2009
Parent Training Modules from the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) are now available in Spanish. These modules provide information for families on how to promote children’s social and emotional skills, understand their problem behavior, and use positive approaches to help them learn appropriate behavior. They are designed to give parents general information on key strategies that may be used with all children. They are available online at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/csefel/parent.html
10. Article Highlights the Economic Benefits of Advancing a Birth to Five Agenda
Source: ZERO TO THREE - Retrieved September 8, 2009
A new article from ZERO TO THREE highlights the economic benefits of investing in the earliest years and provides a state example demonstrating these benefits. It includes tips and strategies for how your state or community can work with business leaders and economists to establish similar investments for infants, toddlers, and their families. A Proven Return on Investment: Economists and the Business Community Advance a Birth to Five Agenda (2009), by Kimberly Pearson, is available online at http://www.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/Return_on_Investment.pdf?docID=9421
11. Promoting Effective Preschool Programs
The RAND Corporation has published a new policy brief, entitled Promoting Effective Preschool Programs, which examines existing research on federal and state level early childhood education programs. The authors find gaps in both access and quality. Recommendations for federal policy to improve preschool education services are provided. The brief is available online at http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/2009/RAND_RB9427.pdf
12. New Federal Guidance on Preventing Swine Flu in Early Childhood Settings
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - September 4, 2009
Among all age groups, children less than 5 years of age had the highest 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) hospitalization rates and the second-highest 2009 H1N1 incidence rates during April 15-July 24, 2009. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published new guidance to help decrease the spread of flu in early childhood settings. The guidance suggests actions to take now, strategies to consider if the flu becomes more severe, and a checklist for decision-making at the local level. A related technical report examines what is known so far about swine flu in children and explains recommended strategies and suggestions.
Guidance Document - http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/childcare/guidance.htm
Technical Report - http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/childcare/technical.htm
Additional Resources - http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/childcare/
13. Notes from H1N1 Child Care Guidance call
14. Tools for Advancing an Early Childhood Agenda for the Latino Community
Young Latino children face many challenges in accessing high-quality early care and education programs. A new toolkit from the National Council of La Raza, New Leaders, New Directions: Tools for Advancing an Early Childhood Agenda for the Latino Community (2009), is designed to help early childhood education leaders develop effective strategies to ensure educational success for Latino children and young dual language learners. It is available online at http://www.nclr.org/content/publications/detail/58483/
Source: National Council of La Raza - Retrieved August 12, 2009; NECTAC eNotes August 13, 2009