Articles and research
The articles and research we've selected are based on current topics such as early education and learning, parenting and family life, and healthy living, exercise and nutrition.

We hope you will find these helpful as your child grows and develops as a Safari Learner.

EARLY EDUCATION & LEARNING

•Adding Movement to Mental Imagery Enhances Performance
•Memories Serve As Tools For Learning and Decision-Making (Science Daily)
•Playful Games Promote Reading Development (Science Daily)
•Getting in Rhythm Helps Children Grasp Fractions, Study Finds (Science Daily)
•Proven: Kids Get Smarter By Doing This One Simple Thing (Exercise!)
•Common Core Standards Pose Problems for Preschools (Edweek.org)
•Correlation of The Head Start Framework to the Common Core State Standards in Kindergarten (Sourceforlearning.com)

•Resources from CDC’s “Learn the Signs, Act Early” Program
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) “Learn the Signs, Act Early” program seeks to improve early identification of children with autism and other developmental disabilities. The program recently released two new resources for parents:

Milestone Moments This 42 page booklet includes milestone checklists and tips to help parents support their child’s development from age 2 months to 5 years, and guidance about what to do if developmental concerns arise.
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/parents_pdfs/MilestoneMomentsEng508.pdf

Track Your Child’s Developmental Milestones This brochure includes a checklist of key milestones from 6 months to 4 years and a message for parents about the tracking their child’s milestones and what to do if developmental concerns arise.
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/parents_pdfs/TrackChildsDevMilestonesEng.pdf

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Retrieved February 21, 2011; NECTAC eNotes 2/25/11

•Teaching Tools for Children with Challenging Behavior
The Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children (TACSEI) has updated its Teaching Tools for Young Children (TTYC) to include strategies for toddlers. The teaching tools give teachers practical strategies to create a plan to support young children who are having challenging behavior, including prevention, intervention, and response strategies. In addition, there is an expanded manual that includes using TTYC with toddlers, a decision tree, forms for teaming, tips for consultation to the classroom, and guidance on assessing implementation and outcomes. To learn more, go to www.challengingbehavior.org/do/resources/teaching_tools/ttyc.htm

Source: Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children - Retrieved March 25, 2011; NECTAC eNotes 3/25/11

•Working Effectively with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (NPDC on ASD) has identified 24 evidence-based practices for working effectively with individuals with autism spectrum disorder and is in the process of developing free online modules for each of these practices. Evidence-based practice (EBP) briefs for these 24 practices have also been developed. These include an overview of the practice, directions for implementation, an implementation checklist, the evidence base for the practice, and supplemental materials.

1.     Autism Internet Modules (AIM) www.autisminternetmodules.org

2.     Evidence-based Practice Briefs http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/content/briefs

Additionally, the IDEA Partnership has added new resources to its Collection on Autism Spectrum Disorder, including: an updated Glossary, Resource Guide, new Dialogue Guides, and a new PowerPoint with Presenter Guide on Functional Behavioral Assessment. To learn more, go to http://ideapartnership.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1493

Source: National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder and the IDEA Partnership - Retrieved April 13, 2011

• Determining the Effectiveness of a Multisensory Approach To Teach the Alphabet and Phonemic Awareness Mastery in Kindergarten Children by Dr. Charlene Wrighton
Note: There are many additional resources on early education, curriculum, learning and the brain, literacy, achievement gaps, multiple intelligences, etc. located on pdf pages 164-170 of Dr. Char's above article.

• New Race to Top Stresses Pre-K Tests, Early Ed. Program Ratings
• White House Study: Arts raise math and reading achievement
• Schools Integrate Dance Into Core Academics
• Earlier Kindergarten Cutoff Date Sensible
• Roger Carthew, "On the importance of play"
• Brain Research and Education: Fad or Foundation?
• Q&A: Michael Gurian Says Boys Need Societal Nurturing, Too
• Gestures Lend a Hand in Learning Mathematics; Hand Movements Help Create New Ideas
Note: We love the fact that science backs use of gestures for memory. We use gestures (the same body movements) for our math rhymes and counting that we do for our Zoo-phonics alphabet.

• Early-Literacy Findings Unveiled
• Kids Who Need Preschool the Most Aren't Enrolled
• Kids Learn More While Mom Is Listening
• State Funding Helps Fuel Preschool Boom
• Early Education May Pay Lifelong Dividends
• Are Schools Failing Our Sons? Why Boys Are Struggling
• Nurturing the Reader in Our Sons
• Write On! Help Young Writers Develop Their Skills
• When Kids Hate School... Ensuring a Happy and Successful School Experience
• A Book Is a Child's Companion
• Tips on Helping Your Child Learn To Communicate
• Tips on Helping Your Child Learn To Talk
• Raise a Reader
• Lack of Sleep Can Affect a Kid's IQ
• First-day Jitters: Starting Preschool
• Education Costs: the Most Expensive Preschools
• Learning Styles: Which One Is Your Child?
• Preschoolers Grow Older As Parents Seek An Edge

PARENTING & FAMILY LIFE

• Biting Behavior in Toddlers
• Helpful Suggestions from ICES For Raising Wonderful Children
• Travel & Learn
• Growing Green Kids
• 9 Secrets of Confident Kids
• 10 Tips For Stress-less Parenting
• 10 Tips On Discipling Your Child With Love
• 10 Ways To Build Your Child's Self-Esteem
• What Every Child Needs
• Science Museums in the West
• Mind Expanding Science Museums
• Parenting Can Be Fattening
• Raise a Scientist
• Who Needs Preschool?

HEALTHY LIVING, NUTRITION, EXERCISE & SAFETY

• More Benefits Than Just a Paycheck for Moms: Working Moms Are Healthier Than Stay-At-Home Moms (Science Daily)
• The Brain Tour Explains How the Brain Works and How Alzheimer's Affects It
• New Therapy May Knock Out Peanut Allergy
• 10 Healthy Foods for Under $1
• How To Pack a School Lunch Kids Will Eat
• Security Check...does your preschooler know these five essential rules?
• Breakfast Benefits May Differ For Boys, Girls
• Widespread Vitamin D Deficiency Poses Risk: study
• Breakfast Boosts Brain Power
• FDA: No Cough, Cold Drugs For Tots
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
• Eggs Are Brain Food
• Stomach Flu Spread By Contaminated Computer Keyboards
• Honey Proves a Better Option For Childhood Cough Than OTCs
• Toddlers Need Iron
• The "Harmless" Symptom You Shouldn't Ignore

We consider our article/research sources to be responsible and credible; however, we cannot fully guarantee article contents unless published by Zoo-phonics®, Inc., Safari Learning® or Safari Learning® Preschool & Kindergarten - 1st Grade Academy. Sources are noted near the title of each article.

Articles provided in Adobe pdf format.