Strollerderby : early childhood development

Pediatricians Group: Screen Early and Often for Autism

Madeline Holler — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:24:00 GMT

There’s no cure for autism, but those with firsthand experience say early therapy can lessen the severity of this disorder. With that in mind, the American Academy of Pediatrics has come out with a strong recommendation that all children be screened twice for autism by the age of two.

For parents, this means the doctor will ask at well baby checkups whether their 4-month-old smiles at the sound of her parents’ voices, and if their 9-month-olds babble, or their 1-year-olds point to toys. They may even ask whether your young one responds to his own name.

Of course, the AAP says to temper your panic if the answer to any of these is "no." These are just signs that may hint at more focused testing.

Want to know what autism looks like? You can watch video clips of autistic kids contrasted with unaffected children’s behavior at a website, which is sponsored by Autism Speaks and First Signs. The two groups want to promote early diagnonis and treatment.

New reports also say children with suspected autism should begin treatment even before being formally diagnosed. Also, these reports warn parents about the special diets and alternative treatments endorsed by celebrities, saying there's no proof those work. (I think they’re talking to you, Mr. Travolta).

Experts say one in 150 U.S. children have some form of autism. Pediatrician awareness and early testing might make parents who know from autism feel less responsible for diagnosing others.

Educational Toys = Not So Educational

Karen Murphy — Sat, 19 May 2007 18:45:00 GMT

It turns out that the educational baby-toy market has it all wrong: the only toy babies really need is you! A new study looked at 12,500 children at ages six months, 18, 30, and 42 months, and determined that one-to-one interaction and outings to the store or to parks have a greater and long-term impact on development of a child than did educational toys such as pre-school computers and electronic activity boards.

Leapfrog? You can throw it away. Especially if it has anything to do with Dora. Baby Einstein? Forget it. Apparently from the research conducted, it resulted that what children crave is personal attention.

Who knew! Personally, I always thought that babies were kind of like decoration: stick 'em in a corner (nobody puts Baby in a corner!) strapped in an Exersaucer or something and give them some interactive plastic noise-making battery-sucking toy to keep them quiet. Right?

Kidding. I so am kidding. But while I certainly don't begrudge anyone those much-needed respites in order to preserve sanity, I also agree with these guys that babies and young children won't develop without interaction, and lots of it. Most children, mine included, have way too many toys, far more than they need, and most would be happier simply with some time spent with Mom and Dad.

Guilt-inducing? Perhaps. As always, like with anything: balance.

T. Berry Brazelton Still Handing Out Decent Parenting Advice

Karen Murphy — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:26:00 GMT

Generations of parents have taken advice from parenting guru T. Berry Brazelton, who's, how old, 89 now, and still going strong. How about that! Brazelton has concentrated on early childhood development, from birth to age three, and maintains that as a society we're not paying enough attention to these early and crucial years. He did an interview recently for NPR and talked about how his thoughts, views, and practices have changed through the years, taking into account, for instance, the upswing in the number of moms who work outside the home (as compared to the June Cleaverish 1950's).

Essentially, however, his advice has remained much the same:

"Watch your baby and trust that baby to tell you when you're on the right track and when you're not."

And also:

"I think the biggest thing a parent can give a child today is resilience — helping them see they have the inner resources to overcome whatever they have to."

Pretty sage advice for an old guy, don't you think?

Experts Say Using College Fund For Preschool is Money Better Spent

Karen Murphy — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:58:00 GMT

Here you've been squirreling away your nickels for your kid's eventual college tuition, and it turns out that early childhood development experts are suggesting that instead we focus on the first three years of life, saying that money spent then is money well spent indeed. The reason? An estimated 85% of brain development occurs during the first three years of a child's life, which are key to shaping the person that child eventually becomes. By pouring time, love, and energy into a child's first three years, we can greatly benefit and enhance that development, allowing our children the opportunity to truly live up to their potential.

Many countries around the world are no stranger to this concept, knowing that a child's behavior, emotions, social and intellectual skills can all be traced back to the formative years first three years. In Sweden for instance, the government provides support for families with young children so that a parent can stay home. While I don't expect that to happen in the U.S., at least not anytime soon, it's something to aspire to.

The biggest hurdle, however, is cultural attitudes about the relative worth of early childhood education and especially the educators themselves. Preschool teachers are paid a pittance and receive little respect especially when compared to post-secondary educators, although attitudes do seem to be improving. Still, it will take a huge shift in priorities and perception to overcome this and truly give early childhood education the attention it, and our children, deserve.

So what's a concerned parent to do? I mean, something we all aren't doing already? Because already, those who can stay home and play pattycake and get shunned from playgroups are doing so. And those who need to work because the family needs the income are doing so as well, and are finding the best possible child-care situations possible. I think, though, that raising the bar on what's available as "best possible" is a must. Too many parents are forced into choosing the least-objectionable child-care, and to me, to those parents, and to the children concerned, that's not good enough.