Love and Learn

RIGHT FROM THE START: LOVE and LEARN. Our potential to love and learn is rooted in the first years of life. Even at birth, children have almost all the brain cells or neurons they will ever need. By the age of 5, their brains have developed to 90 percent of their capacity. So whatever love and interaction your child receives in these first years will go a long way in determining how they will live the rest of their lives. Early parenting is profoundly important! That is why the Department of Children and Families is so pleased to team up with the Commission on Children to bring you a month-long look at what parents need to know about early childhood development.

• What the science of the brain tells us about early childhood and why the "baby phase" sets the stage for your child's entire life.
• Job one for a new parent: Line up regular check-ups for your child 

Vaccinate today. Save your child’s life tomorrow.

• Your child's learning ability may be impaired if he doesn't receive adequate nutrition during the first few years. Here’s what you can do about it.
• Ensure your child grows into a healthy adult by making your home an accident-free zone.  Learn how.
• No fooling around. Your child needs to play. Here’s why.
• Confidence affects how well your child learns. Here’s how you can help.
• Listening to and talking with your child: Why it’s so simple – but so important.
• Reading to your child is feeding your child. Here’s what we mean.
• Do you know what your child’s watching on TV? Here’s why you should know.
• If you’re a working parent, the time spent with your child is special even if the thing you are doing is ordinary.
• Look in the mirror to find out where your child learns about caring and cooperation.   
• Choosing the right day care is a big deal. But it also can be difficult. Here are some tips for making it easier.
• Giving your child a love of reading is a gift that lasts a lifetime. Learn how.

If your infant or toddler appears to be experiencing developmental delays or disabilities, there are lots of places to get help, including the Connecticut Birth to Three System. Learn more.

• If you're still not sold on the importance of the early years to your child's development, check out this very, very cool interactive map of a baby's brain:
• Learn the eight keys to great care giving, courtesy of the UConn Cooperative Extension System: 
• Nightmares and night terrors are a common trial of childhood. Here are some tips for helping your child get through them.
• Young children who rise too early often become grumpy later in the day. Listen to this audio segment for a few good strategies to help you change this behavior.
• Is your child ready for school? This article will help you find out.
• It's one thing to identify children at risk for developmental or behavioral problems; it's another to connect those children to community resources. Connecticut has a program that does both.
• Many families struggle with the cost of child care, especially these days. Find out how you might be able to reduce your child care costs.
• Gain a better understanding of early childhood development.