Resources

Why quality early learning matters

As per the PA Promise for Children website, quality early learning and child development can open the doors of opportunity for every child to do well in school, in the workforce, and in life. But quality early learning requires the commitment of families, teachers, and the community in order for children to reach their promise.

Children learn best when they have proper health and nutrition, a safe and stable family and home life, and activities that stimulate creativity, curiosity, and all the skills they will need to succeed in school and life.

• Fast facts we should all know
• Smart Investments, Big Returns fact sheet (PDF)
• Quality early learning promotes brain development
• Quality early learning prepares children for school success
• Providing children with quality early learning saves taxes and public costs
• Access to quality early education protects jobs today and will attract jobs in the future
• Leading research on the importance of quality early learning opportunities
• Build the case – Share research facts with school leaders and our elected officials

Research has taught us that the earliest years of childhood are critically important to children’s long term development. When children are thriving, their parents can provide for and support a more stable family. Quality education for our children today prepares them for high quality jobs tomorrow. A high quality workforce empowers Pennsylvania to compete nationally and globally, improving the quality of life for all.

Selected Child Development and Early Learning Web-based Resources

The following is a list of early education and Pre-K websites that offer a variety of information, publications, research and data:

• PA Promise for Children
• Keystone STARS: Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania's program to improve the quality of child care, www.dpw.state.pa.us/Child/ChildCare/KeyStoneStarChildCare
• PA Key the Pennsylvania Key manages statewide child development and early learning professional development initiatives, such as: Better Kid Care, ECELS, Project TEACH and Regional School-Age Initiatives. The PA Key also:
  • coordinates the Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Project,
  • coordinates work with higher education community,
  • implements special quality improvement initiatives,
  • manages Environment Rating Scale assessments
  • administers the Head Start State Collaboration Office, and
  • administers PA Pre-K Counts.

           http://www.pakeys.org/pages/get.aspx?page=Keys_PaKey

• National Association for the Education of Young Children: The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the wellbeing  of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational developmental services for all children from birth through age 8. www.naeyc.org

• Pittsburgh Area Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC Affiliate covering 10 counties in Southwestern PA http://www.paeyc.org/

• Fred Rogers Company Training materials for teachers and child care providers, activities and materials to help use the Mister Roger’s Neighborhood television program in child care settings, and information for parents. http://www.fredrogers.org

• Fred Rogers Center: operates to advance the field of early learning and children’s media by acting as a catalyst for communication, collaboration, and creative change. (in Latrobe, PA) http;//www.fredrogerscenter.org/

• Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children: PPC is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the health, education and well-being of the Commonwealth’s children. A number of research briefs and reports are available to download. www.papartnerships.org

• Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs by Ellen Galinsky offers a groundbreaking parenting book-for those who raise (and teach) our children life skills.  http://mindinthemaking.org/

• Mission Readiness www.missionreadiness.org

• National Center for Infant and Early Childhood Health: Funded by Maternal Childhood Health: Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), THE National Center for Infant and Early Childhood Health supports federal, state and local early childhood agendas and assists MCH agencies to play an important role in the development of comprehensive, integrated early childhood service systems, www.healthychild.ucla.edu/NationalCenter/default.asp
  
  

• Parent Tip Sheet http://www.ccids.umaine.edu/ec/growingideas/

• OCDEL Research-based, Center for the Study of Social Policy

            http://cssp.org/reform/strengthening-families/the-basics/protective-factors

• PBS Kids: http://pbskids.org/