[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5767″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”You are your child’s first teacher…” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]During the first years of life, almost everything a child learns depends on experiences that happen in the course of everyday family interactions and experiences. The way you touch, look at and talk with your child from earliest infancy affects his physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. These experiences also affect how your child’s brain develops.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Your role as a parent is vital…” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Did you know that babies are born with 100 billion brain cells? As they begin to experience the world, the cells connect into networks. The connections that are made by the brain in the earliest years of life and are used will become permanent, but other cells will disappear in time. The repeated experiences of daily life – those arousing joy, curiosity, fear, anger or other emotions – will likely have long-term effects on your child’s willingness and ability to learn. That is why your role as a parent is so important![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”You are an important part of what we do…” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Gulf Regional Early Childhood Services seeks to empower you as your child’s first teacher by supporting your parenting skills with information and education. On this page, you will find downloadable and printable resources, as well as links to other sites that you might find useful. Knowledge is powerful and staying informed about what your child needs to thrive in the early years will give you confidence and have a positive impact on your child’s early learning.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Resources for Parents and Families” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_accordion][vc_accordion_tab title=”Child Care”][vc_column_text]
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- 4 Steps to Choosing Childcare – Child Care Aware
- Alabama Standards for Early Learning and Development
- Child Care Licensing in Alabama Overview – Alabama Department of Human Resources
- Find Child Care in Alabama – Alabama Department of Human Resources
- Choosing Quality Child Care – Zero to Three
- Don’t Be In the Dark About Child Care, Know the Facts – Alabama Child Care Facts
- What is High-Quality Child Care? – Collaborative for Children
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[/vc_column_text][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Children and Media”][vc_column_text]
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- Children and Media – PBS Parents
- How TV Affects Your Child – KidsHealth
- Kids and the Media – American Psychological
- Media and Children – American Academy of Pediatrics
- Media’s Impact on Children – Children Now
- TV and Kids Under Age 3 – PBS Parents
- What Happens When Your Child Zones Out With an iPad – Wall Street Journal
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[/vc_column_text][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Educational Practices”][vc_column_text]
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- The Butterfly Garden: Developmentally Appropriate Practice Defined – Early Childhood News
- Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Young Children: Recommendations for Teaching Practices – Reading Rockets
- Dimensions of Infant & Toddler Programs and Curriculum – Early Childhood News
- Following a Child’s Lead: Emergent Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers – National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Instead of Saying… – New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
- News You Can Use: Developmentally Appropriate Practice – Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center
- Time for Play, Every Day: It’s Fun – and Fundamental – The Alliance for Childhood
- Understanding and Applying Developmentally Appropriate Practice – Pearson Higher Education
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[/vc_column_text][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Growth and Devlopment”][vc_column_text]
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- The ABC’s of Child Development – The Whole Child; Public Broadcasting Systems
- Developmental Milestones – Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- The ABC’s of Child Development – The Whole Child; Public Broadcasting Systems
- Baby Brain Map – Zero to Three
- Developmental Milestones by Age – Autism Speaks
- Early Development Tips and Tools – Zero to Three
- Failure to Thrive – KidsHealth
- Growth Charts – KidsHealth
- Little Children, Big Challenges – Sesame Street Tool Kits
- Potty Time – Sesame Street Tool Kits
- Sleep Challenges in Infants & Toddlers: Why It Happens, What to Do – Zero to Three
- Tips for Promoting Social-Emotional Development –Zero to Three
- Your Child’s Growth – KidsHealth
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- Aggression, the Prequel: Preventing the Need – National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Challenging Behaviors Tips and Tools – Zero to Three
- From Rules to Guidelines: Moving to the Positive – National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Guiding Young Children: 21 Strategies – Early Childhood News
- Love, Learning and Routines – Zero to Three
- Swearing and Words That Hurt – National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Understand Bullying – National Association for the Education of Young Children
- You Can Ask – Sesame Street Tool Kits
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[/vc_column_text][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Health and Nutrition”][vc_column_text]
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- Childhood Nutrition – Healthy Children
- Childhood Overweight: What Teachers and Parents Should Know – Early Childhood News
- Common Food Allergies – Healthy Children
- Fitness Begins in Early Childhood – Early Childhood News
- Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating & Physical Activity for Early Childhood – Department of Health and Aging
- Happy, Healthy, Ready for School – Sesame Street Parent’s Tool Kits
- Healthy From the Start: How Feeding Nurtures Your Young Child’s Body, Heart and Mind – Zero to Three
- Hungry In a Hurry: Food for Fast Times – Healthy Children
- Infant / Early Childhood Mental Health: A Concern for All – Zero to Three
- What Can We Do to Prevent Childhood Obesity – Zero to Three
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