Sharing Web Resources

I wanted to share a topic that I came across on Zero to Three website that was something I wasn’t aware of, maybe because it hasn’t been offered to the states I have currently lived in or because with my research I have not came across it yet. With that said, I learned about the Early Learning Challenge grant program initiated in 2011. This is a joint effort put forth by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The ELC was set forth to improve early learning development for young children. It does so by supporting states’ efforts to: increase the number of children with high needs, birth to five, in hight-quality early childhood setting; and build comprehensive early childhood systems (Zero to Three 2013). So far 14 states have received four year grants, ranging in amounts from $20 to $70 million dollars. What I think is great about the ELC is that is was purposely designed to require collaboration within and between state agencies, local organizations and families. Collaboration with families is such an important part of early childhood.

The ELC asks states to develop plans that address the following priorities:
1. Promoting school readiness for children with high needs (this is the absolute priority)
2. Including all early learning and development programs in the tiered quality rating and improvement system
3. Understanding the status of children’s learning and development at kindergarten entry
4. Sustaining program effects in the early elementary grades
5. Encouraging private-sector support

I tried my best to search the website to find information on how economists, neuroscientists or politicians support the early childhood field but was unable to come across anything. But I was happy to see that the ELC grant was put into effect and is helping states little by little improve the quality of early childhood programs and young children themselves.

In our second discussion this week talking about the importance of play, I became interested in the resources Zero to Three had on their website that provides support to parents and educators on play. Providing research and facts to parents especially on the importance of play is crucial for them to realize that this is really a huge part of their development in all aspects. With parents not having the time these days to participate in play with their children I was happy to see Zero to Three providing tips and questions on play for parents to read. Playtime ideas, tips for choosing toys, making the most of playtime and the development of play skills are just a few topics Zero to Three has listed for further investigation for parents and educators. They also have a section for parents to write in with questions about issues or concerns they have regarding their children either at home or at school dealing with play. Some parents may have the same questions and can get answers from other parents writing in.

With so many resources on an enormous amount of topics regarding the care and education of young children, I haven’t really come across anything I would find controversial. To be honest everything I read has made me think about issues in new ways because it gives me so much more information on early childhood.