~Sharing Web Resources~

The National Black Child Development Institute ~ http://nbcdi.org/affiliates/

Conceived by the Black Women’s Community Development Foundation whose concerns were that of the unsatisfactory conditions faced by families wanting to rear healthy children, they decided to organize a national advocacy group. In 1970, the Institute was incorporated and the work began to organize groups within communities as a basis for creating a unified national voice to develop strategies to improve the life circumstances of the developing Black child through policy change.  Since 1970, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) has remained steadfast in its mission –“To improve and advance the lives of black children and their families through education and advocacy.”

~National Black Child Development Institute~ News Letter:

Supporting the WHOLE Child: Educationally, Physically, Spiritually, Mentally, Emotionally, and Socially

This week, take the time to address needs that support the WHOLE Child’s well being.  Below you’ll find a list of activities that you can participate in with your family and in your community:
Educationally
Make learning fun! Get involved with your child during homework time. This will be helpful, as most children are visual learners and learn by repetition.  More “fun learning” activities can be found online at http://www.makinglearningfun.com/.
Physically
It is important to have play time with your children.  Play time is not only a time for kids, but it can be beneficial for the entire family.  Take the time to incorporate fun exercises and outdoor activities that will get the entire family moving and physically fit!
Spiritually
This week, take extra time to instill in your child, values, morals and beliefs that they can call upon as factors and reference points to consider when various decisions arise in their lives.
Mentally
These are just a few things that can be done to support children’s mental health.  These tips and more can be found at http://www.nasponline.org/.  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also has great materials and resources that will assist in addressing the needs of children that are suffering from various traumas and mental illnesses’.
Emotionally
There is a lot you can do to promote your child’s emotional well-being and to boost their confidence and self-esteem.  Constantly encourage and motivate your child to always do their best, and let them know that they can do anything that they put their mind to. 
Socially
It is the responsibility of parents and caregivers to instill in children the importance of working together as a team and that it is always good to do nice things for others.  This week, take the entire family to participate in a community service activity or to a neighbor’s house to perhaps help out with spring cleaning.

Head Start’s 11^th National Research Conference

Research on Young Children and Families: Effective Practices in an Age of Diversity and Change ~ June 18-20, 2012 in Washington, DC.

Head Start’s National Research Conference is a biennial event, which provides practitioners, researchers, administrators, and policy makers involved in Head Start, early childhood, childcare, health care, and administration programs the opportunity to share research that promotes positive development in young children. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/