Financial Resources 
 

• Parent Aware provides a list of resources available to help families pay for child care, including the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), Early Learning Scholarships, Child Care Assistance for Military Personnel, Minnesota Post-Secondary Child Care Grant Program, and various tax credits.
  Go to:  https://www.parentaware.org/families/paying-for-care/​​

Developmental Screening and Support Services
 

• Help Me Grow is an interagency initiative of the State of Minnesota Department of Education, Department of Health and Department of Human Services working in partnership with local agencies. It provides resources for families to understand developmental milestones and learn if there are concerns. This helps families take the lead in seeking additional support or referring their child for a comprehensive, confidential screening or evaluation at no cost. 
  Go to:  https://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/index.html

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• Minnesota Department of Education Early Childhood Screening program includes vision and hearing, height and weight, immunization review, review of health care coverage, risk factors which may impact learning, large and small muscles, thinking, language and speaking skills as well as parent report of social emotional development, and a parent summary meeting. Early Childhood Screening (ECS) by a school district or evidence of a comparable screening by a non-school provider is required for entrance in Minnesota’s public schools. 
  Go to: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/elsprog/screen/

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Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs)
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• ECIPs refers to Minnesota's early learning standards for children from birth to kindergarten entrance.
  Go to: http://www.parentaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ECIPs-sm.pdf

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Child Nutrition & Healthy Eating 
 

• MyPlate is the USDA's website on healthy eating at all life stages. Nutritional guidelines, tips on feeding children, advice on picky eaters, recipes, and more.
  Go to:  https://www.myplate.gov/life-stages

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• "The Importance of Good Nutrition for Kids," Emily Decker, MD for Nationwide Children's Hospital. An overview of the benefits of healthful eating  and how to create healthy mealtimes at home.
  Go to: https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2021/03/importance-good-nutrition-kids
   

• "The Connection Between Nutrition and Learning for Kids," Central Oregon Pediatric Associates, 2024. An excellent and concise overview of how nutrition affects learning. 
  Go to: https://copakids.com/child-healthcare-news/the-connection-between-nutrition-and-learning-feeding-the-growing-brain/

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Sleep Habits
 

• "A Child's Need for Sleep," Elizabeth Gehrman for The Magazine of Harvard Medicine, Autumn 2022. Comprehensive  overview of why sleep is so important to children's learning and emotional health. Includes the latest research and recommendations regarding children's sleep.  
  Go to: https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/childs-need-sleep
   

• Child Sleep: Put Preschool Bedtime Problems to Rest," from Mayo Clinic's Healthy Lifestyle: Children's Health webpage. Addresses common bedtime problems during the preschool years. Recommendations from Mayo Clinic staff for helping your child (and you) get a better  night's sleep.
  Go to: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/child-sleep/art-20044338

 

Outdoor Play & Nature Based Education​
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• "Playing Outside: Why It's Important for Kids," Danette Glassy, MD, FAAP & Pooja Tandon, MD, FAAP. American Academy of Pediatrics,  © 2024.
  Go to:  https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/power-of-play/Pages/playing-outside-why-its-important-for-kids.aspx
   

• Benefits of Nature-Based Early Childhood Education, Youtube video put out by the North American Association for Environmental Education.
  Go to:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egr5O_BvG-Y
   

• "Our Proud Heritage. Take It Outside: A History of Nature-Based Education," Larry Prochner. © 2021 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  

        Go to: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/fall2021/take-it-outside​​​​​

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Waldorf Education
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• Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA)
  Go to: https://www.waldorfeducation.org/
   

• Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN)
  Go to: https://waldorfearlychildhood.org/​

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Reducing Screen Time for Young Children

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• "Screen Time and Children: How to Guide Your Child," Mayo Clinic, 2024.
  Go to: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952