Early Childhood E-Newsletter

Summer 2009

Welcome to Early Childhood E-news, a publication from PACER Center.

Here you'll find the latest information and resources for parents of young children with disabilities and the professionals who work with them.

Position Statement Underscores Commitment to Quality Early Childhood Inclusion

“Early Childhood Inclusion: A Joint Position of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)” takes an historic step by providing a shared national definition of inclusion. The document defines inclusion as “the values, policies, and practices that support the right of every infant and young child and his or her family, regardless of ability, to participate in a broad range of activities and contexts as full members of families, communities, and society.” Developed through a collaborative national process coordinated by the National Professional Development Center on Inclusion (NPDCI), it is expected to have widespread impact on the early childhood field. View the statement at:
dec-sped.org/uploads/docs/about_dec/position_concept_papers/PositionStatement_Inclusion_Joint_updated_May2009.pdf.

New Family Resource Promotes Play and Learning

Playing with your young child helps you build a loving relationship and supports the development of your child’s social, language, and thinking skills. “Make the Most of Playtime” offers tips and strategies for families to consider when playing with their infant or toddler. Published as part of the Family Tools Collection by the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL), it can be found at vanderbilt.edu/csefel/familytools/make_the_most_of_playtime2.pdf.

Encourage Early Literacy with These Guides

It’s never too early to start teaching your child literacy skills—including things such as listening, speaking, enjoying books, and learning to use writing tools, such as crayons and markers.“Practice Guides Especially for Parents” can help families provide their infants, toddlers, or preschoolers with fun and exciting literacy learning experiences. “Practice Guides Especially for Practitioners” also are available. The guides are from the Center for Early Literacy Learning (CELL), a research-to-practice technical assistance center funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, Research to Practice Division. CELL is a major initiative of the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at the Orelena Hawks Puckett Institute. Learn more at earlyliteracylearning.org/pgparents.php.

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Kids and summer fun go together like peanut butter and jelly. Make the most of this season by planning some special outings to places that are especially welcoming to families and young children with disabilities. Here's a summer sampler of events, activities, and ideas.

PACER’s Simon Technology Center
- Come visit during Open Hours (Tuesdays, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and try out the latest software for children with disabilities. Call 952-838-9000 or visit PACER.org/stc/ for details.
Fairs and festivals
- County fairs, art fairs, musical festivals, and more abound across the state. Don't forget about Minnesota State Fair, Aug. 27 - Sept. 7. Assistive listening devices, sign language interpreters, and more are available. To request a copy of the State Fair's accessibility guide, call 651-288-4448 (voice), 651-642-2372 (TTY), or visit mnstatefair.org/pages/accessibility.html.
City parks
- City parks around the state offer a variety of local activities, from family-friendly band shell concerts, to picnic sites, to boat rentals. Check with your local Park & Recreation Department for details.
State parks
- Trails, beaches, boating, camping, cabins, tours, and more are available at parks across the state. Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature at your own pace. Some state parks are fully accessible to people with physical disabilities. Learn more at www.dnr.state.mn.us/open_outdoors/parks/highlights.html.
Story times
- Many libraries and bookstores offer free story times for young children. Some include bilingual programs or sign language interpreters. Check your local newspaper or call your neighborhood library for more information.

PACER Center is a parent center for families of children and young adults with all disabilities. PACER provides individual assistance, workshops, publications, and other resources to help families make decisions about education and other services for their child or young adult with disabilities.

Its Early Childhood Family Information and Resource Project offers free information and resources to Minnesota families of children with disabilities from birth through age 5. The project helps parents of young children who receive early childhood special education to learn about their rights, roles, and responsibilities. It also provides parents with information that can help their children develop toward their potential. The project is funded by the Minnesota Department of Education.