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 Understanding Childhood Homelessness in PennsylvaniaIn 2012, nearly 10,000 children/youth slept at least one night in emergency (EH) or transitional (TH) housing in Pennsylvania, according to a recent report, Childhood Homelessness in Pennsylvania by People's Emergency Center. Of children served by EH/TH programs, nearly 60% were under age six. This report offers a starting point for understanding the scope of childhood homelessness in Pennsylvania. Given that this number includes only children/youth served by EH/TH housing programs, and not children/youth living doubled-up with family/friends or on the streets, it is a very conservative estimate of the number of children/youth experiencing homelessness in Pennsylvania. Services specifically targeting the needs of infants, toddlers, and school age children are important because research demonstrates that chronic, unrelenting stress in infancy and early childhood can adversely impact early brain development, which can lead to lifelong problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health. Emergency/transitional housing programs can provide not only shelter for these vulnerable children, but also serve as a point of intervention to begin addressing the impact of these risks. Additionally, the report offers a preliminary understanding of the needs of children in EH/TH, and examination of the characteristics, challenges, and needs of children experiencing homelessness in Pennsylvania. For more information, please see the report, Childhood Homelessness in Pennsylvania. For information on how Pennsylvania is improving early education access for children experiencing homelessness, please visit the PA Keys website.  Call for presenters: Educating Hearts Conference: The Stress Effect
Application deadline December 3
Presentation applications are now being accepted for the annual conference, Educating Hearts Conference: The Stress Effect. To strengthen the abilities of practitioners and educators to address their personal stress and to assist in the implementation of best practices supporting the social and emotional development of children who are affected by stress, Professional Development Dimensions will be hosting Educating Hearts Conference: The Stress Effect on February 1, 2014. This is a collaborative event to connect practitioners and educators from the fields of early childhood, Out of School Time programming, and primary grade classrooms with experts and resources from the fields of Stress Management, Physical and Nutritional Health Care, Trauma Awareness, Crisis Intervention, Family Counseling and Nurturing the Nurturer as they relate to child development and psychology. All workshops should be relevant to the early child hood, academic classroom, and school-age child care populations. Proposals should be mailed, faxed, or emailed (preferred) by December 3, 2013 at [email protected] / [email protected] or 201 Sabine Avenue, Narberth, PA 19072. If you have questions, please see the application or contact Ingrid Molinares at 610.617.4550 opt. 4. Nominate an everyday leader for the Take The Lead Award
Nomination deadline December 15
Do you know someone who does outstanding work, day in and day out, regularly going beyond what's expected? Is creative in their approach to their work, to problem solving, to workplace relationships and to their own personal & professional growth? Recognized by many within the organization as a role model? Consider nominating them for the Take The Lead Award!
This award, sponsored by Vantage International, is intended to recognize and honor one 'everyday leader' who best demonstrates unwavering dedication to leading from her/his seat every day at work. Nominate someone, then spread the word about this opportunity with your partners.
Vantage International is a leadership and business coaching firm, serving business professionals, teams and organizations using a dynamic, results-oriented coaching approach. Award includes a $500 Visa gift card OR donation to charity of choice and more. Nominees for the award may represent either the government, profit or not-for-profit sector and may be employed at ANY level of a business organization. The deadline to submit nominations is December 15, 2013. Visit Vantage International for eligibility details and to nominate an individual. |
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New KIDS COUNT Resource on Importance of First Eight Years
The First Eight Years: Giving Kids a Foundation for Lifetime Success, a new policy report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, details how investing in a child's early development is essential for effective transitions into elementary school and for long-term academic success.
New data show that 36 percent of children in the U.S. are on track in math, reading and science; 56 percent in their physical well-being; 70 percent in their social and emotional growth; and 74 percent in their level of school engagement. Fewer percentages of children in low-income families and black and Latino children were on track in nearly all areas.
The report emphasizes the importance of investing in children in the early years and outlines several policy recommendations:
- Support parents so they can effectively care and provide for their children.
- Increase access to high-quality birth-through-age-8 programs.
- Develop comprehensive, integrated programs and data systems to address all aspects of children's development and to ease their transition to school-aged programs.
For additional information, please see the report, The First Eight Years: Giving Kids a Foundation for Lifetime Success.
Research Brief Reviews the Evidence Base on Preschool Education
A new research brief, Investing in Our Future: The Evidence Base on Preschool Education, released by Society for Research in Child Development and the Foundation for Child Development, provides a non-partisan, thorough review of the current evidence on why early skills matter. Evidence is presented which highlights:
- Large-scale public preschool programs can have substantial impacts on children's early learning.
- Quality preschool education is a profitable investment.
- The most important aspects of quality in preschool education are stimulating and supportive interactions between teachers and children and effective use of curricula.
- Supporting teachers in their implementation of instructional approaches through coaching or mentoring can yield important benefits for children.
- Quality preschool education can benefit middle-class children as well as disadvantaged children; typically developing children as well as children with special needs; and dual language learners as well as native speakers.
- A second year of preschool shows additional benefits.
- Long-term benefits occur despite convergence of test scores.
- There are important benefits of comprehensive services when these added services are carefully chosen and targeted.
For additional details, please see the report, Investing in Our Future: The Evidence Base on Preschool Education.
More Trends & Reports
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Emergency Preparation in Early Education Programs: As the northeast commemorates the first anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, NIEER Policy Research Coordinator and CEELO staff member Megan Carolan explores recommendations for preparing child care centers for disasters and resources for helping young children through trauma.
More Than Baby Talk: 10 Ways to Promote the Language and Communication Skills of Infants and Toddlers: The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute has published an easily-readable and free online guide for igniting the communication and language skills of infants and toddlers.
InBrief: The Science of Neglect video: This six minute video explains why significant deprivation is so harmful in the earliest years of life and why effective interventions are likely to pay significant dividends in better long-term outcomes in learning, health, and parenting of the next generation. It is an overview of Science of Neglect: The Persistent Absence of Responsive Care Disrupts the Developing Brain, a working paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.
40 Fine Motor Skills Activities: The fine motor skills activities for young children from The Imagination Tree are easy to set up and will promote a whole range of skills. They're creative, open-ended, appropriate and varied with ideas for practicing motor skills through art, sensory play and simple manipulative games.
Using Toys to Support Infant-Toddler Learning and Development: With the holidays fast approaching, families and friends may need information on what makes a good toy to support children's early learning. This article by Gabriele Guyton offers strategies for selecting toys to meet young children's unique needs and interests. |
LEGO Children's Fund: The LEGO Children's Fund provides grants to non-profit organizations that address early childhood education and development that is directly related to creativity, technology, or communication. Deadline: January 15, 2014
Lowe's 2014 Toolbox for Education Grant Program: The program supports projects that encourage parental involvement in local schools and build stronger community spirit. Toolbox for Education grants are in support of projects that have a permanent impact on a school community. Deadline February 14, 2014.
PreK-6 Math Teachers for Math Improvement and Professional Development Grant: The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is inviting proposals from pre- K teachers seeking to improve their understanding and appreciation of mathematics by completing course work in school math content and pedagogy, working toward an advanced degree, and taking an active professional approach toward teaching mathematics. Deadline May 2, 2014 |
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Did you know?
The Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Project has many tip sheets to help ECE professionals and families address issues such as napping, security objects, whining and more!
Find them on the PA Key website! |
Professional Events
2014
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The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) promotes opportunities for all Pennsylvania children and families by building systems and providing supports that help ensure access to high quality child and family services.
Find more about Quality Early Learning in Pennsylvania
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The Early Childhood Education e-news is a project of the Pennsylvania Build Initiative and the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Public Welfare to inform early learning professionals, the early childhood community, policymakers, community leaders and the public on developments in early childhood education and care in Pennsylvania.
Please feel free to forward this email to friends, family, and colleagues.
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