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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Child Development and Developmental Milestones
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• "The Three Year Old Child," from Child Development Year by Year, Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North American. A description of children around the age of three. How they understand and move in the world, and how parents/caregivers can support them. Includes list of additional books and resources.
  Go to: https://waldorfearlychildhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/04-The-Three-Year-Old-finalrev21.pdf
   

• "The Four Year Old Child,"from Child Development Year by Year, Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North American. A description of children around the age of four, how they understand and move in the world, and how caregivers can support them. Includes list of additional books and resources. 
  Go to: https://waldorfearlychildhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/05-The-Four-year-Old-finalrev21.pdf
   

• "The Five Year Old Child," from Child Development Year by Year, Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North American.  A description of children around the age of three, how they understand and move in the world, and how caregivers can support them. Includes list of additional books and resources.
  Go to: https://waldorfearlychildhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/06-The-Five-Year-Old-finalrev21.pdf
   

• Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs). 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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• "Flourishing in Winter: Guidance for Cold-Weather Play by and for Early Childhood Practitioners," Dr. Julie Ernst and Emily K. Johnson, University of Minnesota, Duluth. A wonderful guide to the benefits of winter-weather outdoor play and how to make the most of it comfortably and safely.
  Go to: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SFQH_DcxFj5nKw0w0caybeYVFiU-tuaV/view?usp=sharing

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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

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Peace and Justice Issues

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• "Why and How to Talk to Your Child About Racism,"  https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/why-and-how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-racism
   

• "Talking to kids about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) actions,"  Children's Minnesota. 
  Go to: https://www.childrensmn.org/blog/talking-to-kids-about-u-s-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-i-c-e-actions/
   

• "Talking to Kids about Immigration Enforcement in their Communities," Caitlin Kryl, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Advice from Our Experts blog, 
  Go to: https://www.chla.org/blog/advice-experts/talking-kids-about-immigration-enforcement-their-communities
   

• Teach Peace Now "offers book reviews, activities, and ideas that teachers and parents can use to promote values, attitudes and behaviors that encourage non-violent resolution of conflict, respect for human rights, democracy, intercultural understanding, and justice." 
  Go to: https://teachpeacenow.com/

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Parenting and Family Relationships

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• Positive Discipline: The Classic Guide to Helping Children Develop Self-Discipline, Responsibility, Cooperation and Problem-Solving Skills, by Jane Nelson, Ed.D. A practical guide to teaching children self-discipline and responsibility not through rewards and punishment, but through relationship, mutual respect, accountability and firm kindness.
   

• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. A classic guide to creating strong bonds with children through open communication and active listening techniques. 

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