Early Childhood Archives - Page 2 of 6 - National Wraparound Initiative (NWI)
Study: Possible Genetic Link between Children’s Language and Mental Health
August 21, 2019 | Emily Taylor
A recent study led by the University of York found a possible genetic link between children with language disorders and poor mental health. The researchers analyzed genetic data from more than 5,000 children, clinical assessments on children’s language ability, and questionnaire responses from parents. The lead researcher, Umar Toseeb, said, “If our findings are confirmed in future work, it could mean that, rather than wait for children with developmental language disorder to show symptoms of poor mental health before intervening, mental health support is put in place as soon as language difficulties become apparent, as a preventative measure.”
Research on New Approach to Reduce Stress in Parents and Children
July 10, 2019 | Emily Taylor
Two recent studies led by Philip Fisher at the University of Oregon Center for Translational Neuroscience focus on combining neuroscience, psychology and biology to address childhood mental health. One study used video-coaching to help caregivers recognize child-supportive behavior and the other looks at the relationship between oxidative stress and psychological disorders in children.
How Coaching Boosts Family Engagement
June 11, 2019 | Emily Taylor
This brief from the Global Family Research Project describes some of the results of the Family and Community Technical Assistance (FACE-TA) project’s TA to Early Head Start sites in California. The brief includes short case studies highlighting the changes implemented as a result of the TA, such as including families in the planning of family engagement activities.
CHDI IMPACT Report: Helping Young Children Exposed to Trauma
June 6, 2019 | Emily Taylor
A new IMPACT report from the Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut, Inc. (CHDI), provides a summary of the research on the effects of early trauma exposure and outlines Connecticut’s approach to early intervention, which can be useful for other programs. The report notes there are unique challenges in identifying the effects of trauma in very young children. Many young children not enrolled in early education programs and trauma symptoms are often misinterpreted as developmental delays or behavior problems. The report includes case studies on interventions in different settings and outlines key elements of trauma-informed systems.
NIMH Children and Mental Health Resource Available in Spanish
April 9, 2019 | Emily Taylor
A Spanish version of NIMH’s Children and Mental Health brochure,”Los niños y la salud mental,” is now available online. This resource on children’s mental health includes information for parents and other caregivers on when to seek help, evaluation, treatment, choosing a mental health professional and advice on how to work a child’s school as well as other resources.
Early Childhood Development
April 1, 2019 | Emily Taylor
Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child has published a new online resource, “What is Early Childhood Development? A Guide to the Science” that explains how children develop in their earliest years, why that time period is so important, and the practical ways we can support early childhood development (ECD) and improve outcomes for children and families. The guide includes brief summaries of key findings and how they can guide policymakers and program developers to improve outcomes for children and families, as well as videos and other related resources.
The State of Babies Yearbook 2019
March 14, 2019 | Emily Taylor
Research published last month by Child Trends and Zero to Three compiles and examines more than 60 policies and indicators related to infant and toddler well-being to rank states by how effectively they support children during their first three years.
Childhood Social-Emotional Functioning Linked To Early-Onset Mental Health Conditions
March 5, 2019 | Emily Taylor
Research published in JAMA Network Open looked at a group of more than 34,000 children in British Columbia, Canada from birth to age 14. The researchers found a correlation between teacher-ratings for social-emotional challenges at kindergarten and physician-assessed mental health conditions by age 14. The researchers recommend further studies on preventative interventions in the early school years.
When low-income families can meet their basic needs, children are healthier
December 12, 2018 | Emily Taylor
Children’s HealthWatch published reports based on survey data of 18,000 low-income families with children under four years old, in five cities (Baltimore, Boston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Little Rock). They found that “young children and their parents are healthier when they are able to afford basic needs, such as food, shelter, utilities, medical care, prescription medicines and childcare”. This study, however, examined the differences between children living in hardship-free families versus those in families with any or multiple hardships. The report authors support policies to better support low-income families.
Parent Survey Shows One in 40 Children in U.S. Receive Autism Diagnoses
November 27, 2018 | Emily Taylor
An analysis of parent survey data for about 43,000 children aged 3-17 from the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health showed that 2.5 percent of parents reported their child had received a diagnosis of autism. In addition, parents of children with autism were 44 percent more likely to report difficulty getting their children needed mental health treatment.