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News from the week of July 28, 2008

• Artificial dyes widely used in foods commonly eaten by young children—sugary cereals, candies, sodas, and snack foods—have been found to adversely affect children’s behavior. More…
• Will your child be starting preschool soon? An online parent guide includes resources on choosing a preschool, making a smooth start, and understanding what your child may be learning. More…
• Legislation extending Preschool for All (PFA) for two more years was signed into law on June 30, 2008. PFA, an initiative of the Illinois State Board of Education, makes voluntary preschool available to 3- and 4-year-olds in a variety of settings. More..

News from the week of July 21, 2008

• Exposure to lead in the early years is a risk factor for criminal behavior in adulthood, including violent crime, according to a long-running Cincinnati Lead Study. More…
• Did you know the American Heart Association recommends that all children over 2 years of age engage in moderately intense physical activity for at least 30-60 minutes every day? Parents can find fun ways to encourage their children to be physically active. More…

News from the week of July 14, 2008

• Learn about child care strategies that consider the needs of individual children with and without special needs and promote an inclusive experience for all families in A Thinking Guide to Inclusive Childcare. More… (PDF)
• Letting your children help in the kitchen can be both fun and a learning experience for them. But how exactly can a preschooler help? Here are some age-appropriate ideas. More… (PDF)

News from the week of July 7, 2008

• According to research published in the journal Child Development, the critical ingredients for effective PreK programs include high-quality instructional and emotional interactions between teachers and children. More…
• Should teachers and parents use only simple words or include more complex ones when talking to preschool children? A recent Harvard Education Letter suggests strategies for helping young children build vocabulary. More

News from the week of June 30, 2008

• Jerlean Daniel, Libby Doggett, Ellen Frede, and Ann Epstein are among the presenters at Illinois AEYC’s statewide conference in Springfield, on September 25-27, 2008. More…
• Summer is a great time to visit the library and find some good books to share with your children. Here are some tips to help encourage an early love of reading. More…

News from the week of June 23, 2008

• Many family summer plans include a visit to an amusement park or theme park. Consider ways to keep your child safe during the visit. More…
• Among the topics in Successfully Supporting All Children in Early Childhood Education Programs are supporting inclusion of children with developmental disabilities through mixed-aged grouping, integrated toddler play groups, and signing with infants and toddlers. More… (PDF)

News from the week of June 16, 2008

• The National Center for Family Literacy has released Cultivando el hábito de la lectura [Cultivating Readers], a new Spanish-language resource for parents that provides activities designed to increase children’s school readiness. More… (PDF)
• Protecting Children by Strengthening Families: A Guidebook for Early Childhood Programs (PDF) is among the many resources available through Strengthening Families Illinois. More…

News from the week of June 9, 2008

• “Social and Emotional Development: Supporting Prekindergarten Children and Partnering with Parents” is the title of a two-day workshop taking place in Springfield, Illinois, on July 24, 2008, and August 5, 2008. More…
• Most children love to play in the water, particularly on hot summer days. But they need adult supervision so fun doesn’t turn into trouble. More… (PDF)

News from the week of June 2, 2008

• Workshop topics at the National Association for Family Child Care conference taking place in Schaumburg, Illinois, on July 16-19, 2008, include bicultural child care with Latino immigrant families, innovative Web solutions for family child care, and family child care in state Pre-K. More… (PDF)
• Plan special family fun times with your preschool-age child this summer. Try family night games and family celebrations. More… (PDF)

News from the week of May 26, 2008

• Do your children seem to hurt themselves unintentionally more often than their friends do? Check on the amount of sleep they’re getting. A new study indicates that a lack of sleep leads to an increased accident risk as well as irritability, hyperactivity, and extremes in behavior. More…
• Find out how the Strengthening Families Initiative works with child care programs in Illinois to keep families strong. More…

News from the week of May 19, 2008

• Be sure your young children have time to play. Play helps children develop interests and interpersonal, language, and problem-solving skills. More… (PDF)
• A recent study of the relationship between child care work environments and learning environments concludes that “Leadership and management practices and organizational climate should be considered by policymakers in their efforts to build a stable teaching workforce and improve child care quality.” More… (PDF)

News from the week of May 12, 2008

• Say It Out Loud, a new public education campaign sponsored by the IDHS/Division of Mental Health and the Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership, was launched May 1, 2008, the start of Mental Health Awareness Month. More...
• Check out IEL's Tip Sheet on Young Children's Mental Health. More...
• Plan to attend Chicago Metro AEYC’s “Head to Toe: The Midwest Interactive Infant and Toddler Conference” on May 31, 2008, at Kennedy-King College in Chicago. More…
• Children get excited when they see a seed sprout. Consider making soy beanie baby necklaces that they can wear and watch. More… (PDF)

News from the week of May 5, 2008

• Sometimes parents express concern about their young child who would rather play than learn to color or write. Are their expectations developmentally appropriate? More…

News from the week of April 28, 2008

• May 1, 2008, is Worthy Wage Day... a day to educate others about the importance of worthy wages for those who work and care for young children. Find out how you can participate.  More...
• Lilian Katz and Sylvia Chard will offer the summer institute “Engaging Children’s Minds: The Project Approach” at Robert Allerton Park and Conference Center in Monticello, Illinois, from June 30 – July 3, 2008. Enrollment is limited. More…
• Introduce your child to gardening this spring. He may find a lifelong interest while learning more about nature. More…

News from the week of April 21, 2008

• Children who live in poor neighborhoods may be at increased risk of verbal and behavioral problems. A new study suggests that for some parents, living in poor neighborhoods is associated with poorer mental health, poorer family relations, and less consistent and more punitive parenting. More…
• Is preschool intervention effective in preventing childhood obesity? A new study suggests that a preschool-based weight control intervention program instilled healthy eating habits in children ages 2 to 5. More…

News from the week of April 14, 2008

• “Dancing through Life: Beginning in Infancy” is the title of this year’s Infant and Toddler Conference taking place at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois, on April 26, 2008. More…
• Do you know the “Looby Loo” song? Introduce the song to a group of young children as an active way to teach positional words “in” and “out.” More…

News from the week of April 7, 2008

• April is Child Abuse Prevention month in Illinois. The theme for 2008 is “Turning Choices into Change— Preventing Child Abuse Together." Find out how you can participate. More…
• Child Trends has published an overview of more than 30 instruments used to assess the quality of early childhood education settings. More… (PDF)

News from the week of March 31, 2008

• “Child care that does not adequately address the social-emotional needs of young children runs the risk of contributing to the development and expression of challenging behaviors.” Read more of NIEER’s report on challenging behavior and the role of preschool education. More… (PDF)
• What kind of play may build a critical cognitive skill called “executive function”? Executive function is an important part of regulating behavior and is associated with success in school. More…
• The deadline for this year's Preschool for All (PFA) application for funds is April 7, 2008. Find out more about the Request for Proposals on the Web site of the Early Childhood Division of the Illinois State Board of Education. More...

News from the week of March 24, 2008

• Attend the Illinois Project Group Annual Meeting on April 19, 2008, on the Millikin University campus in Decatur, Illinois. More…
• Have your children noticed signs of spring? Talk about the green beginning to appear on trees and early spring flowers beginning to grow. How do plants know it’s spring? More…

News from the week of March 17, 2008

• A full program of workshops in English and Spanish for parents and child care providers will be included in this year’s Parent Institute Day taking place in South Holland, Illinois, on March 28, 2008. More…
• Do you know how well your preschool child sees? Corrected vision has been shown to improve preschool children’s school performance and visual-motor coordination. More…
• A recent study suggests that when a child explains how she solved a problem, she increases her problem-solving accuracy. Her ability at problem solving is further increased when a parent listens to her explanation. More… (PDF)
• Learn about the AAT degree in Early Childhood Education and the Bilingual Early Childhood Certification Assistance Program in the latest issue of Inside Gateways. This issue also profiles two long-time early care and education professionals in Illinois and includes an article by Lilian Katz on teacher training. More…

News from the week of March 10, 2008

• A recent study suggests that when a child explains how she solved a problem, she increases her problem-solving accuracy. Her ability at problem solving is further increased when a parent listens to her explanation. More… (PDF)
• Learn about the AAT degree in Early Childhood Education and the Bilingual Early Childhood Certification Assistance Program in the latest issue of Inside Gateways. This issue also profiles two long-time early care and education professionals in Illinois and includes an article by Lilian Katz on teacher training. More…

News from the week of March 3, 2008

• The deadline for this year's Preschool for All (PFA) application for funds is April 7, 2007.  Find out more about the request for proposal application process by attending a bidders' conference in Decatur, Illinois, on March 10, 2008, or Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Illinois, on March 13, 2008. More...
• What social and emotional, cognitive, language, and movement skills should you look for as your child grows? This interactive tool suggests what signs to watch for from birth to 5. More…
• “Six Protective Factors That Keep Families Strong” is the title of a half-day workshop taking place in Rockford, Illinois, on March 11, 2008, and in Springfield, Illinois, on March 14, 2008. More…

News from the week of February 25, 2008

• March 7-8, 2008, are the dates for this year’s Piecing It All Together Conference: How Children’s Mental Health & Mental Illness Affect Family, School & Community. The event will take place on the SIU campus in Edwardsville, Illinois. More… (PDF)
• How often are children expelled from prekindergarten? What program variables are associated with expulsion? A recent report includes an overview of this research as well as recommendations on ways expulsion rates among children with challenging classroom behaviors can be reduced. More… (PDF)

News from the week of February 18, 2008

• Find out about the “Six Protective Factors That Keep Families Strong” in an Illinois Resource Center workshop offered in Rockford, Illinois, on March 11, 2008, or in Springfield, Illinois, on March 14, 2008. More…
• Visiting the library with very young children can help them develop a love of books and learning. Many libraries have “lap” story times for parents and babies. More…

News from the week of February 11, 2008

• Excessive television watching is linked to obesity in preschool children, according to a study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. More…
• Here’s a word game you can play with your child at home, on the bus, or while waiting for an appointment. More…

News from the week of February 4, 2008

• Join Karen Stephens, director of the Illinois State University Child Care Center, when she hosts a discussion on “Program Communication Strategies: Reaching Out to Families and the Community.” The week-long online discussion begins February 18, 2008. More...
• How might the reauthorization of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) affect PreK-3 education? Read 10 new ideas proposed for NCLB’s reauthorization. More… (PDF)
• A recent article in the journal Developmental Psychology, “School Readiness and Later Achievement,” explores the links between three elements of school readiness and later school reading and math achievement. More… (PDF)

News from the week of January 28, 2008

• Early childhood advocacy is the theme of this year’s Parents as Teachers National Conference taking place in St. Louis, Missouri, from April 1-3, 2008. Keynote speakers include Joan Lombardi, Elaine Zimmerman, Geoffrey Canada, and Tammy Mann. More…Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.
• Does your child get anxious when it’s time for a visit to the doctor? You can help by listening to his fears and working through his feelings with him. More…

News from the week of January 21, 2008

• The Illinois Gateways to Opportunity system is featured in the summer 2007 issue of the Child Care Bulletin, which discusses professional development for the early childhood workforce. More… (PDF) 
• Why does my child act that way? Here are some questions parents can ask themselves that might help them understand their child’s behavior. More…

News from the week of January 14, 2008

• “Opening Minds,” the Chicago Early Education, Child Care, and School-Age Conference and Trade Show, takes place at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, on January 24-26, 2008. More…
• Have fun in the snow with your children while helping them develop large muscle skills, observation skills, and language skills. http://www.familytlc.net/issues/january2007/winter_4_2794.htmlEditor's Note: this url is no longer active.

News from the week of January 7, 2008

• What kind of judgment does the professional teacher exercise when working with young children? Find out in Lilian Katz Reflection’s article in the fall 2007 issue of Inside Gateways. More…
• Children practice motor and phonic skills during a Letter Walk activity. You’ll need letter cards and a large area for this game. More…

News from the week of December 17, 2007

• Leading Early Childhood Communities: What Principals Should Know and Be Able to Do is the title of a daylong course offered by the Illinois State Board of Education on January 16, 2008, in Springfield, Illinois, and February 27, 2008, in Alsip, Illinois. More… (PDF)
• Many of us find the end of a year a good time to talk about family and reflect on the past. Encourage your preschoolers to join in with a favorite memory. Write down their words, encourage them to illustrate the writing, and help them make an accordion book to share. More…
• Read about the new Illinois Quality Counts: Quality Rating System (QRS) in the fall issue of Inside Gateways. QRS is a voluntary system to assist child care providers with program quality improvement. More…
• The U.S. Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) is a national study that assesses children's early mental and physical development, the quality of their early care and education settings, and the influence of both fathers and mothers in their lives. More…

News from the week of December 17, 2007

• A University of Illinois marketing professor shares tips on raising a nonmaterialistic child in a materialistic age. More…
• Holidays can be exciting, busy times, but your young children may seem to fuss and behave in challenging ways more often than usual. One strategy is to maintain your child’s daily routines, including naptime, mealtime, and bedtime. More…

News from the week of December 10, 2007

• The Encyclopedia of Early Childhood Development, from Canada's Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development, is available free online. It covers a wide range of early development topics, including language development, aggression, and health, that will be of interest parents and service providers. More…
• A free brochure, Tips for Parenting in a Commercial Culture, and an IEL Tip Sheet, Making the Holidays Memorable and Meaningful, offer suggestions for helping children focus on the meaning of the holidays.

News from the week of December 3, 2007

• When your children have colds or coughs, do you give them over-the-counter cold or cough medicines? A panel of experts with the Food and Drug Administration called these products ineffective for children under the age of 6 and potentially dangerous for children under the age of 2. More… So what can you do for a young child who has a cold? More...
• A new resource from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources can help you and your students study Illinois trees. Teaching materials, which include posters, activity kits, CD-ROMs, a video, field guides, and DVDs, have been correlated to the Illinois Early Learning Standards. More…

News from the week of November 26, 2007

• A chart developed by the Public Policy Forum summaries the outcomes in various developmental areas as well as external benefits to society and the cost-benefit ratio from over 20 early childhood education studies. More…
• Do your children like to play rough at times? They may be having fun, but you know rough play can get out of hand. Teach them how to play within safe limits. More… (PDF)

News from the week of November 19, 2007

• What strategies can you use in your early care and education program to strengthen and support families? Find out by using the self-assessment tool in A Guidebook for Early Childhood Programs: Strengthening Families through Early Care and Education. More… (PDF)
• Have you seen any snowflakes falling yet where you live? Children can develop their large motor skills and listening skills as they play a snowflake game indoors or out. More…

News from the week of November 12, 2007

• This easy-to-read chart helps parents know when infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children need important vaccinations. More… (PDF)

• Each child is unique, but some children’s unique qualities cause struggles for themselves and their parents. When do quirky differences indicate a need for help? More…
• Teachers from a child care center in Sullivan, Illinois, describe a project about babies undertaken by a group of 3-year-olds in this article from Early Childhood Research & Practice. The article documents the children’s work through photographs and lists the Illinois Early Learning Benchmarks that were met. More...

News from the week of November 5, 2007

• Resources for parents and practitioners on supporting healthy attachments between young children and parents are included in a spring 2007 policy brief from Duke University. More… (PDF)
• This state fact sheet lists information and resources for grandparents and other relatives raising children in Illinois. More... (PDF) Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.

News from the week of October 29, 2007

• Forty-six reproducible early literacy activity sheets in English and Spanish are now available for caregivers and parents of young children. The activities are suitable for all children. More…
• Cold and flu season is coming! You can’t prevent all infectious illness, but you can fight the spread of germs by teaching children how and when to wash their hands. More… (PDF)

News from the week of October 22, 2007

• All children benefit from high-quality pre-k programs, but the unique social, emotional, and education challenges of the military lifestyle make access to pre-k even more important. Read more about it in the report, "Pre-K for Military Families: Honoring Service, Educating Children." More…
• Enjoy a bird walk outdoors with your child on a beautiful autumn day. Take some bread crumbs or birdseed and an empty toilet paper roll to a likely area and talk about the birds you see. More…

News from the week of October 15, 2007

• “A mother's attentiveness to her baby's distress, especially in the first year, is more important to his secure attachment than lots of positive feedback when he's happy and content,” concludes a University of Illinois study published in the June issue of the Journal of Family Psychology. More…
• Do small changes to her routine upset your child? This Sesame Street article suggests ways parents can minimize transition problems. More…

News from the week of October 8, 2007

• How have the rates of child poverty and infant mortality changed in Illinois in the past 5 years? Are more—or fewer—children living in single-parent families? Find out in the 2007 Kids Count state-level database online. More…
• Looking for activities that promote fine and gross motor skills in preschool children? Download a book from Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute to find a wealth of suggestions. More… (PDF)

News from the week of October 1, 2007

• Managing asthma is the focus of a recent issue of the American Academy of Pediatrics “Health and Safety E-News for Caregivers and Teachers.” More…
• Good nutrition is important for young children, but sometimes encouraging them to eat vegetables can be a challenge. Here are some tips for helping children enjoy eating vegetables! More… (PDF) Also in Spanish (PDF)

News from the week of September 24, 2007

• “Caring for the Child, Strengthening the Family” is the theme of the 3 rd Annual Leadership Summit sponsored by the Illinois Association for Family Child Care on October 26-27, 2007, in Palatine, Illinois. More…
• Karen Stephens, director of child care programs at Illinois State University, offers families with young children tips on starting back to school in two podcasts (audio only). More...Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.

News from the week of September 17, 2007

• Workshops offered at this year’s National Black Child Development Institute in Chicago, Illinois, October 21-23, 2007, include early care and education strategies, challenging behaviors, early literacy, school readiness, male involvement, parent empowerment, and leadership development. More…
• Have you heard about recent recalls of children’s toys because of excessive levels of lead? Read the American Academy of Pediatrics’ response to parent concerns related to lead exposure from toys. More… (PDF)

News from the week of September 10, 2007

• A study that looked at improving early reading skills of children in poverty suggests that it takes more than high-quality teaching to help low-income children learn to read. More… (PDF)
• Findings from a 19-year follow-up study of families who participated in the Chicago Child-Parent Center program show that preschool children who participated had higher rates of school completion and full-time adult employment, and lower rates of arrests for violent offenses. More…

News from the week of September 3, 2007

• Color Me Healthy is a health education program that uses color, music, and exploration of the senses to teach preschool children that healthy food and physical activity are fun. Color Me Healthy and other nutrition education resources are available free to child care staff throughout the state. More…
• Has another child or parent complained that your child is a bully? It’s important to stop unwanted behavior early and to teach children positive ways to interact with others. More…

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