September 2021
Monthly updates on the latest content, events, and more
from the Center on the Developing Child
The coronavirus pandemic has changed daily life in many ways, but the importance of providing support to children and families has remained constant. Over the past 18 months, teachers and students have adapted to social distancing and remote learning, and now, many are heading back to in-person learning environments. We have compiled a list of resources that can help educators and caregivers support students and one another during this transitionary period.
From "InBrief: How Resilience Is Built" (VIDEO)
Resources on COVID-19
How to Help Families and Staff Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Outbreak
What can we do to build up and strengthen resilience during the COVID-19 outbreak? How can we build resilience to plan ahead for future times of crisis? This resource, with practical suggestions, presents three science-based ways that we can help tip the resilience scale for families and program staff.
How to Support Children (and Yourself) During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Even during this uncertain time, it’s a sure thing that our children are still learning, growing, and developing. But, supporting a child’s healthy development can be simple and free! (And, it may even help relieve your stress.)
Building Responsive Relationships Remotely
We reached out to care providers and others on the frontline of the early childhood development field to learn how they are building relationships with families from afar. Here are some tips they provided that may help you navigate remote interactions during this time.
Activities That Promote Healthy Development
This guide describes a variety of activities and ways for adults to support and strengthen children's executive function skills, which provide critical supports for learning and development.
GUIDE: 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return
Child-adult relationships that are responsive and attentive—with lots of back-and-forth interactions—build a strong foundation in a child’s brain for all future learning and development. Follow these 5 steps to practice serve and return with a child.
VIDEO: Play in Early Childhood: The Role of Play in Any Setting
In this video, learn how play can foster children’s resilience to hardship, and how the complex interactions involved when children play help build their brains.
VIDEO: How-to: 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return
This how-to video breaks down serve and return into 5 simple steps, and features adults and young children doing each step together.
Resources on Mental Health
The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: Mental Health Vital Signs
In this episode, Dr. Nancy Rotter discusses how the pandemic changed conversations around mental health, and what caregivers can do to help children prepare for the lessening of restrictions and the return to school.
Q&A: The Coronavirus Pandemic: Mental Health One Year Later
Dr. Archana Basu and Dr. Karestan Koenen discuss the mental health challenges ahead, the signs we should look out for, and what we can do to support one another.
VIDEO: Stress and Resilience: How Toxic Stress Affects Us and What We Can Do About It
In this video, learn what toxic stress is, how it can affect you, and what you can do—both by yourself and in connection with your community—to deal with what you’re experiencing
VIDEO: InBrief: Early Childhood Mental Health
This video explains how improving children’s early environments can prevent initial difficulties from destabilizing later development and mental health.
Additional Helpful Resources
BRIEF: 8 Things to Remember About Child Development
This list sets the record straight about some aspects of early childhood development.
PODCAST: The Brain Architects: Brain Architecture: Laying the Foundation
Why are the early years of a child’s life so important for brain development? How can early brain development affect a child’s future health? This episode dives into these questions and more.
BRIEF: How to Motivate Children: Science-Based Approaches for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers
The intrinsic motivation to learn about the world around us begins in infancy. Psychological research points to a set of promising approaches that parents and practitioners can use to promote positive motivation and learning during development.
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