The following resources provide helpful information and support to enhance your parenting experience.
This carefully selected list of books, blogs, organizations, and government agencies represent leading authorities and various perspectives on topics relevant to preschool age children and child health, education and more.
Books
Nurture Shock, P. Bronson & A. Merryman
Raising Happiness, C. Carter
I Love You Rituals, B. Bailey
Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline, B. Bailey
The Conscious Parent, S. Tsabary
Making Memories, J. Bisett
Positive Discipline A-Z, J. Nelson, L. Lott, & S. Glenn
First Art Experiences for Toddlers, R. Ramsey & D. Bowman
The Optimistic Child, M. Seligman
Sowing The Seeds Of Wonder, J. Begin
Websites
National Association for the Education of Young Children – NAEYC administers an accreditation system to improve the quality of education and care provided in programs for young children. Its Web site provides information for families concerning early childhood development and childcare issues.
Life Lab – Drawing on over thirty years of work with young people in gardens, Life Lab, a nonprofit organization, has emerged as a national leader in the garden-based learning movement.
Child Behavior Pathways – Presents a multidisciplinary team of experts from both CHOC and UCI who have expertise in early childhood behavior and learning issues.
Open Circle – A leading provider of evidence-based curricula and professional development for social and emotional learning (SEL) in Kindergarten through Grade 5. Open Circle’s programming focuses on two goals: strengthening students’ SEL skills related to self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, interpersonal relationships and problem-solving.
Children’s Hospital of Orange County – CHOC provides current information about children’s conditions A-Z, Community Outreach, services for Pediatric Specialities, Clinical programs and a variety of other services.
The Whole Kids Foundation – We support schools and inspire families to improve children’s nutrition and wellness.Given the right opportunities, kids will get excited about fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other nutritious whole foods.
Children’s Home Society of California – CHS provides a variety of services to children and families in California and nationwide – working to improve their quality of life by offering vital informational, educational, and resource services.
The Early Math Collaborative – An online environment aiming to collect and disseminate resources as well as provide avenues for discussion around mathematics in the early years. These resources are archived according to media type, series, and the Collaborative’s own Foundational Math Concepts and Big Ideas, Common Core alignments.
Scholastic for Parents – Current research, information about child development, activities, school help, books and reading. Great for both parent and child.
The Center for STEM Education for Girls – Brings together educational leaders to improve STEM instruction and STEM opportunities for girls. The web-site contains research-based information and innovative best practices in STEM education for girls, acting as a “clearinghouse” for educators across the country. Educational needs of girls as a group currently underrepresented in core STEM majors in college and in STEM careers are presented.
ZERO TO THREE – A national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.
The Fred Rogers Center – Advances the fields of early learning and children’s media by acting as a catalyst for communication, collaboration, and creative change.
American Academy of Pediatrics – An organization of pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
Child Development Institute – Information for parents regarding various strategies promoting positive parenting and childhood development techniques, including information about early childhood and teenagers.
KidsHealth.org – The #1 most-visited website for children’s health and development. Information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.
Autism Speaks – The nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
California Department of Public Health – Provides information about California’s public health services and programs available to residents. Accessibility to acquire certificates licenses, publications, forms and more can be found here.
Blogs
http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/development
http://www.letthechildrenplay.net/p/popular-posts.html
http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/08/60-nature-play-ideas-for-kids.html
http://www.stemfinity.com/STEM-Grades/PreK-STEM
http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/gift-guide-2013-top-toys-for-building-stem-skills
Youth & Gratitude Resources
Want to know more about the science of gratitude with children? Here is a research-based examination:
Froh, J. J., Bono, G., & Emmons, R. A. (2010). Being grateful is beyond good manners: Gratitude and motivation to contribute to society among early adolescents. Motivation & Emotion, 34, 144-157.
Froh, J. J., & Bono, G. (2011). Gratitude in youth: A review of gratitude interventions and some ideas for applications. NASP Communiqué, 39(5), 1, 26-28.
Froh, J. J., Emmons, R. A., Card, N. A., Bono, G., & Wilson, J. (2011). Gratitude and the reduced costs of materialism in adolescents. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12, 289-302.
Froh, J. J., Fan, J., Emmons, R. A., Bono, G., Huebner, E. S., & Watkins, P. (2011). Measuring gratitude in youth: Assessing the psychometric properties of adult gratitude scales in children and adolescents. Psychological Assessment, 23, 311-324
Froh, J. J., & Bono, G. (November, 2012). How to foster gratitude in schools. Greater Good.
Froh, J. J., & Bono, G. (January, 2014). Making Grateful Kids: A Scientific Approach to Help Youth Thrive. West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press.
Froh, J. J., & Bono, G. Making Kids Grateful blog. Psychology Today.