The Primary School’s Post

The US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently advised communities and schools to elevate the voices of #parents and #caregivers to develop programming and other supports designed to improve family mental health and well-being. Building on this recommendation, Ascend’s new guide provides strategies and tools that organizations, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers can leverage to create effective partnerships with parents. We developed “Ascending with Parents: A Guide to Centering Parent Voice in Policy and Practice” with input from Ascend Parent Advisors whose insights have helped us better understand how we can foster family well-being and prosperity when we #CenterParentVoice. During #NationalStudentParentMonth and beyond, we encourage postsecondary leaders to recognize student parents as essential partners in this work. We, along with many others in the field, have learned key strategies to ensure equity, foster authenticity and autonomy, compensate parents appropriately, and more. In addition to providing concrete suggestions, the guide uplifts examples of organizations that are engaging parents including The Excel Center CO, Jeremiah Program, The Family Partnership, and The Primary School. https://lnkd.in/gqR_HsiK

This new brief from our research partner Child Trends spotlights three state initiatives that sought to engage families with young children to incorporate their perspectives into child care and early education (CCEE) strategies. Considerations for state leaders and communities as they work to engage parents and caregivers in different initiatives and aspects of their work include: • Consider a range of strategies for engaging parents and caregivers in initiatives. • Offer opportunities for parents and caregivers to participate in initiatives across the implementation cycle. • Financially compensate parents and caregivers for their time and effort. • Prioritize ongoing communication and feedback loops with parents and caregivers. • Incorporate opportunities for parents and caregivers to build their skillsets and develop their networks into family engagement efforts. • Ask parents and caregivers about the best format, days, and times for meetings and other family engagement activities. • Prioritize creating welcoming environments when designing opportunities for parents and caregivers to engage with your work. • Continue learning from the growing set of best practices for family engagement and leadership. https://buff.ly/3VDO9eh #ECE #ECEchat

*The Power of Early Intervention: Transforming Lives* >Early intervention refers to the systematic and targeted support provided to infants, toddlers, and young children who exhibit developmental delays, disabilities, or risk factors. This proactive approach harnesses the critical period of rapid growth and brain development, laying the foundation for optimal outcomes. *Key Principles: 1. Timeliness: Initiating services as soon as possible after identification. 2. Family-centered: Empowering parents and caregivers as primary therapists. 3. Individualization: Tailoring interventions to meet unique needs. 4. Interdisciplinary collaboration: Combining expertise from various fields (e.g., OT, PT, speech). 5. Community-based: Delivering services in natural environments (e.g., homes, schools). *Benefits: 1. Improved developmental outcomes: Enhanced cognitive, motor, and social skills. 2. Reduced severity: Mitigating the impact of disabilities. 3. Enhanced parent-child relationships: Strengthening bonds and confidence. 4. Increased independence: Preparing children for mainstream education. 5. Long-term cost savings: Reducing the need for intensive services later. *Critical Periods* 1. 0-3 years: Foundations for language, social, and emotional development. 2. 3-5 years: Consolidating skills, emerging interests. 3. 5-8 years: Refining abilities, transitioning to formal education. *Conclusion* Early intervention is a game-changer for young children with developmental needs. By providing timely, targeted, and family-centered support, we can unlock potential, mitigate challenges, and empower families. Investing in early intervention yields lasting benefits, shaping brighter futures for our next generation. #RaiseAgainstAutism #PinnacleSaysItAll #PinnacleBloomsNetwork #1AutismTherapyCentresNetwork

Nearly 15 million children were chronically absent in the 2021-22 school year, doubling pre-pandemic numbers, and millions lived through at least one traumatic experience, such as parent death or abuse. The authors of this new report urge every school to track absenteeism and invest in family engagement to better understand challenges facing families. They also recommend implementing high dosage tutoring and champion the community school model, which offers wraparound physical and emotional health support alongside academics. #chronicabsenteeism #trauma #familyengagement #absenteeism

The Domino Effect of Developmental Delays: Why Early Intervention Matters Imagine a series of falling dominoes, each one representing a key developmental milestone in a child’s early years (birth to age 5). These milestones include motor skills, cognitive development, social skills, and the ability to thrive in school and life. When one domino falls out of place, the whole sequence can be disrupted. This is exactly what happens when children experience early motor skill delays. It’s not just a physical issue—it can set off a cascading effect across many other areas of a child’s growth: A delay in motor skills can impact cognitive development, making it harder for children to explore and understand their environment. When cognitive development is slowed, it can lead to further struggles in social interaction, as children may have a harder time communicating and connecting with their peers. These early challenges can eventually lead to difficulties in school performance, affecting everything from learning abilities to social integration. Without early intervention, these delays can turn into long-term obstacles—children may enter school unprepared, and their academic journey becomes more challenging, both socially and cognitively. But there’s good news: early detection and intervention can break the chain. Caregivers and educators can act as the key players in stopping these developmental delays before they have a lasting impact. By addressing delays early, we can ensure that each developmental domino stays on track, giving every child the best chance at success in school and in life. 👉 Be proactive: Early screenings and interventions can make all the difference. Let’s catch these delays early and set children on the path to thriving futures with carengrow. . . . . . . . . . #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #BrainDevelopment #ChildhoodMilestones #ECD #CognitiveDevelopment #MotorSkills #SocialSkills #EducationalSuccess #DevelopmentalDelays #EarlyLearning #FutureOfEducation #ChildHealth #SchoolReadiness #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ChildrensMentalHealth #HealthyCommunities #ParentingTips #EarlyScreening #ChildWellBeing #BrainGrowth #HealthyStart #ParentingAdvice #CommunitySupport #CaregiverAwareness #UnlockPotential #thub #foundations #welfaredepartment #changemakers #policymakers #grant

A new article by Fiona Quirk. The article is about becoming neurodiversity-affirming. This article will discuss approaches, accommodations, and strategies to support Autistic students based on the advocacy of Autistic people. Most of the citations are from Autistic researchers, Autistic advocates, and Autistic-led organizations. Starting with just one or two strategies could make a positive difference. https://aasr.news/bkfg #EndSeclusion

A new article by Fiona Quirk. The article is about becoming neurodiversity-affirming. This article will discuss approaches, accommodations, and strategies to support Autistic students based on the advocacy of Autistic people. Most of the citations are from Autistic researchers, Autistic advocates, and Autistic-led organizations. Starting with just one or two strategies could make a positive difference. https://aasr.news/bkfg #EndSeclusion

Early intervention is so important!

As a Family and Child Counsellor at Happy Souls Kids, I've witnessed firsthand the incredible strengths and challenges that both neurotypical and neurodiverse children bring to the world. Neurodiversity represents about 15-20% of the global population (Johns Hopkins University). This diversity in brain function is akin to comparing a MAC to a PC— both are excellent operating systems, yet they process information differently. At Happy Souls Kids, our mission is to help over 100,000 children learn self-regulation, manage their emotions, and cope with anxiety by 2027. We aim to empower both neurotypical and neurodiverse kids to thrive in their environments while fostering greater understanding and compassion among their peers. Here are some simple yet impactful adjustments we can all make to support children: Cultivate Empathy and Understanding: Take the time to learn about neurodiverse conditions and understand that these individuals might see the world differently. This can help in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment. Practice Patience and Compassion: Understand that neurodiverse individuals may process information and emotions differently. Patience and kindness go a long way in helping them feel valued and respected. Encourage Open Dialogue: Foster an environment where children feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and emotions. Open communication can help reduce anxiety and build stronger connections. Celebrate Strengths: Focus on the unique talents and abilities of neurodiverse children. Encouraging their interests and strengths can boost confidence and self-esteem. By embracing neurodiversity, we not only support those who think differently but also enrich our communities with diverse perspectives and innovative solutions. Together, we can create a world where all children, regardless of neurological differences, have the opportunity to succeed. LLG, Jxo #Neurodiversity #Inclusion #ChildCounseling #HappySoulsKids #MentalHealth #GrowthMindset

✨ Let's prioritize positive childhoods for all! Here are 5 key takeaways from our latest blog, "Promoting Positive Childhoods: Why Sparing the Rod is Good for Child Development": 1. We oppose ALL forms of violence against children, including corporal punishment in schools. 2. Scientific evidence backs our stance against corporal punishment, highlighting its negative impact on children's development. 3. Corporal punishment disproportionately affects children of color, perpetuating systemic inequalities. 4. Discipline is about teaching and learning, not punishment. 5. Parenting supports and education are crucial for empowering caregivers with effective tools. Together, let's ensure every child can thrive! Read the blog! #NurturePositiveChildhoods https://lnkd.in/gpytWxvu