Six Child Development Community Resources for Parents During Family Engagement Month
Family Engagement Month recognizes the important role of parents and relatives in the lives of their children. Young children learn so much from their families and the people around them, and the first five years are vital to their development. Early introduction to brain-stimulating games and activities, as well as finding the right resources for children are steps in the right direction to encourage positive development.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and Child Care Resource & Referral program work with community partners whose goal is to empower parents with developmental resources for their children.
Here are six child care community resources for parents:
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a nonprofit that promotes high-quality early learning for young children, has many articles that talk about the importance of a parent's role in their child's development, and offers parenting advice to prepare parents for different stages of their child's growth.
Arizona has two affiliates to NAEYC called the Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children (AZAEYC) and the Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children that support child care providers and participate in early childhood advocacy efforts.
- Vroom
Vroom is an early learning initiative that empowers parents and families to turn everyday moments into brain-building moments. Vroom has a downloadable app where parents can access tools and tips to help with their child's development.
Vroom is free to use and is intended for children ages birth to five. Topics from Vroom range from food, music and dance, reading and storytelling and many more!
- Strong Families AZ
Strong Families AZ offers a network of free home visiting programs that provide families with resources and tools to help them raise healthy children and prepare them to succeed in school and life.
Child & Family Resources offers a similar program that helps families who are expecting a child, or parenting a child age birth to four with gaining positive parenting techniques. The program, which provides home visitation for the family, also aims to help increase school readiness and success.
- First Things First
First Things First is an organization that provides aid to early education and health programs in Arizona to prepare young children to succeed in school. It also has valuable resources available to parents.
FTF's Ages and Stages resources provides parents with information on developmental milestones throughout a child's early life, from infancy to five years old. Each section offers specific information about what to expect in a child at their particular age, and helpful tips to improve development. FTF also now offers an AZ New Parent Guide.
- Zero to Three
Zero to Three is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help ensure that every baby has a strong start in life.
The nonprofit has online resources about the development of children ages birth to three, including resources to support mental and physical development, insight on appropriate behavior, what to expect during each developmental phase, and fun activities and play ideas to support early learning for infants and toddlers.
- ArizonaPBS and Bright By Text
In addition to sharing a library of KidVision learning videos for preschoolers, ArizonaPBS also provides ideas for simple, yet very important activities for adults and caregivers to engage in with the littlest of learners.
The PBS Kids website also includes videos, podcasts, and recommended activities for families and children to engage in together to support learning and fun. PBS Kids also sponsors the free Bright By Text app that sends free text messages with age-appropriate tips and activities for children birth to eight.
To find more child care and family resources, visit the CCR&R Community page.