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Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development

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Everyday Democracy’s Strong Starts for Children initiative.

Most of us believe that we can’t have the kind of community we want if our children aren’t doing well. While many children are thriving, many others fall behind during their earliest years. Children in families with limited economic resources and opportunities start their school years behind their peers, and have difficulty catching up. This creates hardship for every child who falls behind, for their communities, and for families who are trying to build better lives.

We all want our children to become healthy, happy, productive adults. To reach this goal, all of us need to be involved: parents, families, schools, businesses, and other community members from all walks of life.

In spring of 2010, Everyday Democracy launched Strong Starts for Children, a New Mexico-based initiative that aims to help communities work together for the success of all children. We've developed a discussion guide on the topic of early childhood development for this initiative and for communities around the country that are experiencing the challenges of helping all of their children succeed.

Tools

Discussion Guide: Strong Starts for Children
2010
This five-session discussion guide helps people get involved in an important issue facing all of us: the well-being of our ...

Spanish-Language Discussion Guide: Un buen comienzo para los niños
2010
Esta guía de discusión ayuda a las personas a participar en diálogos sobre un tema de gran interés para todos—el ...

Video: Strong Starts for Children - All Indian Pueblo Council
2011
As part of the Strong Starts for Children initiative, the All Indian Pueblo Council (in collaboration with Five Sandoval Indian ...

Video: Strong Starts for Children - Pajarito Mesa
2011
As part of the Strong Starts for Children initiative, Youth Development, Inc., is bringing together churches, nonprofits, businesses, schools, health ...

Video: Strong Starts for Children - Cuidando Los Niños
2011
As part of the Strong Starts for Children initiative, Cuidando los Niños (on behalf of the New Mexico Campaign to ...

Video: Strong Starts for Children - Native American Professional Parent Resources, Inc.
2011
With a mission to build healthy Native American children and families, Native American Professional Parent Resources, Inc. (NAPPR) is using ...

View all 10 tools

Stories

News Article: Focus on children to prevent disparities
What many perceive as an “achievement gap” is actually an “opportunity gap” that starts at the beginning of life. The cycle of inequity can be stopped - but we must work together to create a future where all children can thrive.

News Article: Inspired residents shape their own future
We all want a better future for our children. What does it look like when residents come together in dialogues to create change? Learn about how a group of residents are creating a healthier, safer community where everyone's voice is heard.

News Article: Generation Justice: A youth perspective
Young people involved with the Generation Justice youth media project learned first-hand the importance of early childhood development by documenting the progress of five dialogue-to-change programs. Now, they pull back the curtain to share their perspective.

News Article: Taking action for future generations
How can we make our communities a better place for children? See the progress five New Mexico communities have made to build an environment where children thrive.

Podcast: Bridging youth and early childhood movements in New Mexico
Roberta Rael, project manager for the KUNM Youth Radio Project, discusses the importance of empowering youth through leadership roles and engaging them in early childhood development work.

View all 17 stories

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