Resources for Parents YoungStar connects parents to tools and information to help them raise healthy, happy kids! Learn what to look for when selecting a child care provider; find information on early childhood education, nutrition and healthy learning environments; and discover activities that promote children’s healthy brain development. YoungStar gives parents peace of mind. And, it helps you give your child(ren) a promising start in life. Read through the various resources to learn more about the growth and development of children. Videos What is YoungStar? YoungStar helps parents find quality child care and assists child care providers who want to improve the quality of their care. The Healthy Child: Assembly Required Learn more about the value of high-quality early child care from Kathleen Gallagher, a research scientist at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC. Dr. Gallagher’s research and applied work focuses on the design, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based approaches that support the learning and well-being of young children, families, and early childhood professionals. Start with Experience (Brain Development) When you give your child engaging one-on-one experiences and a nurturing environment, you’re setting the stage for lifelong success Toxic Stress (Brain Development) The short periods of stress children experience in the first five years of life are an important part of healthy brain development. YoungStar Fact Sheets Here's a collection of fact sheets to help families learn more about choosing child care, nutrition, and more. Interviewing Providers: What to Ask Before You Choose Cómo entrevistar a los proveedores: Qué preguntar antes de elegir Reading the Stars: Choosing Child Care with YoungStar Cómo leer las estrellas: Elección del cuidado infantil con YoungStar Finding Child Care for Children with Disabilities Cómo encontrar guardería para niños con discapacidades Getting the Most Out of Child Care: Family Engagement Cómo obtener lo máximo del cuidado infantile Your Child's Nutrition: At Home and Away from Home La nutrición de su hijo: En Casa y Lejos de Casa Know the Milestones: Monitoring Your Child's Development Saber los hitos: Controlar el desarollo del niño Find Resources by Topic Developmental Milestones The way your child speaks, learns, acts and even plays can offer insight into your child’s development. At each stage of development, children reach developmental milestones. These are things most children can do by a certain age, like rolling over or walking. Every time you visit your child’s doctor, talk to him or her about the developmental milestones your child has reached and what to expect next. Milestone Moments Brochure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Spanish Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards Easter Seals Developmental Milestones Screening Early Literacy Early Literacy is the foundation of a child's development. The important time period in the life of a child, as it relates to brain development, is from the ages of birth to five years old. Learn more about early literacy and how you, as a parent, can provide experiences through reading and writing, or even just talking and listening to your child, that will prepare them to succeed in life. Center for Early Literacy Learning Family Literacy Engagement Strategies Tip Sheet Promoting Early Literacy (Zero to Three) Read more on Early Literacy Family Engagement A growing body of research suggests that meaningful engagement of families in their children’s early learning supports school readiness and later academic success. Learn how you, as a parent, can establish a positive relationship with your child care providers by exploring these resources. NAEYC's Effective Family Engagement Principles Ideas for Family Engagement/Involvement in School-Age Care Harvard Family Research Project Resources for Family Engagement Plain Talk for Parents Although each and every child is unique, there are some general patterns of growth and development that apply to most children. Read these "Plain Talk for Parents" brochures to learn more about general developmental patterns, some typical traits of young children at each age level, and what you can do when you discover your child is ready for new activities and skills. For One- to Two-Year-Old Children Acerca de su hijo de uno a dos años For Two- to Three-Year-Old Children Acerca de su hijo de dos a tres años For Three- to Four-Year-Old Children Acerca de su hijo de tres a cuatro años Read more on Plain Talk Early Brain Development Our brains never develop faster than they do in our first five years of life. In fact, by the age of five, your child’s brain is already 90% fully grown. This means that the experiences and interactions your child has in the first five years of life lay the foundation for later success. High-quality early care and education provides the kinds of experiences and interactions that help your child develop language and math skills, social and emotional competence, and healthy habits. Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change - Harvard University Early Childhood: Developmentally Appropriate Practices - Play is the Way! Finding High-Quality Care Ever since you became a parent, perhaps even before, you have been learning about child development. As your child got older, it didn't take long for you to understand the impact a quality learning environment has on their development.The time has come for you to find care for your child, someone who shares your understanding of development, offers a high-quality learning environment, and can meet your specific child care needs. But where do you start? Reading the Stars - Choosing Child Care with YoungStar Brochure Give Your Child a Great Start Brochure Read more on Finding High-Quality Child Care
