There is an overwhelming number of programs, centers, researchers, blogs, and parents who all have passionate and deeply rooted beliefs about raising children. As a result, it can be difficult to discern which sources are offering advice backed by evidence and research and which sources are sharing information based on sensationalized opinions. The recent controversy over vaccinating children and autism comes to mind as an example of how misinformation can quickly spread. The goal of this Parenting Resource Handbook is to provide quality information that addresses the needs of parents and parent educators in Jefferson County. Of the most recent referrals made to the CCE Jefferson County parenting department by the Department of Social Services, 69% where due to child neglect, 17% due to physical abuse, and 14% due to sexual abuse. Out of these referred families, over half (51%) had a history of substance abuse, 37% had domestic abuse in the home, and 60% had at least one family member with mental health issues.
After the analysis of Jefferson County’s parenting referrals, the content of the Parenting Resource Handbook has been tailored to contain information and resources best fitting the needs of the area. Topics such as safety, nutrition, and mental/physical health are covered in depth due to the high number of referrals involving neglect, inadequate guardianship, and mental health issues. These topics appear to be the most relevant to the needs of the community and Jefferson County caregivers. Resources provided include websites, articles, studies, and activities that can be accessed by parents and parent educators to help increase caregiver knowledge.
Chapter 1: Safety
Section 1: Choking Hazards
1. Choking Prevention
A summary of how to protect your child from choking hazards such as hot dogs or latex balloons, created by University of Michigan’s Medical School.
2. Responding to a Choking Emergency
This choking safety guide provides information on what course of action an adult should take when their child begins to choke. It contains an overview of The Heimlich Maneuver, CPR, and how to do a tongue jaw lift.
3. Buying Safe Toys
This How to Buy Safe Toys guide outlines 10 tips to buying and owning safe toys for your child that do not pose a choking risk as specified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
4. Choking and Strangulation Prevention Tips
This choking and strangulation prevention guide provides an overview of what parents can do to protect their child from choking and strangulation risks such as food, small objects, toys, cords, and magnets. Information on toy recalls are also emphasized.
5. Policy Research on the Prevention of Choking among Children
Published in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, this policy research brief on child choking prevention contains comprehensive information on child choking hazards and prevention along with an analysis of current relevant policies.
Section 2: Drowning
Every day, approximately two children die from unintentional drownings in the United States. Knowledge of pool and open water safety procedures along with correct life jacket use saves lives.
1. Drowning Fact Sheet
This drowning prevention resource from the CDC includes statistics on who is most at risk for drownings, safety tips for families, and evidence on the effectiveness of swim lessons. It also provides practical and preventative actions parents can take to protect their children in and around water.
2. Diving into Water Safety
This Diving into Water Safety blog post by Safe Kids Worldwide offers quick water safety tips for parents. It includes practical advice and links to additional safety resources.
3. Swimming and Safety
The Swimming Safety Tips pdf outlines key recommendations for keeping children safe in and around pools. The PDF includes guidance on adult supervision, swimming skills, pool barriers, and links to other related pool safety resources.
4. How to Choose the Right Life Jacket
When out on open water everyone should be wearing a properly fitted life jacket regardless of swimming ability when on open water. This life jacket guide explains how to select a properly fitted life jacket based on size, activity, and U.S. Coast Guard classifications and rules for using life jackets.
5. Water and Pool Safety
This water safety rules article by Michigan Medicine highlights essential rules to prevent drownings, diving-related injuries, and spinal cord injuries. It also includes pool safety, expert advice, links to studies on water, and recommendations on pool safety.
Section 3: First Aid and CPR
Being able to perform CPR and First Aid is a life skill that people, and especially parents, benefit greatly from. A quick crisis response can save a child’s life in the case of drowning, choking, etc.
1. CPR Instructional Videos
These Hands-Only CPR instructional videos provide simple demonstrations (approximately one to two minutes each) for parents on how to save a life using the Hands-Only CPR technique.
2. Register for a Class
The Red Cross class catalog page allows you to browse programs, find classes near you, and sign up in one location. The Red Cross offers a variety of courses nationwide, including First Aid, CPR, AED training, and more.
3. CPR Resources
The American Heart Association CPR website{:target="_blank"} includes information on registering for CPR classes, purchasing training supplies, organizing group sessions, and accessing additional information. There are also flexible options including online courses and eBook versions of The American Heart Association’s CPR and ECC publications.
Section 4: Household Toxins
If parents fail to take the necessary precautions, common household cleaners, chemicals, and medications can become deadly when children get their hands on them.
1. Prevent Poisonings
This poison prevention guide lists basic techniques to help parents stop children from accidentally ingesting medications and household products that could be potentially fatal.
2. Tips to Avoid Chemical and Lead Poisonings
This EPA resource on pesticide and lead poisoning prevention includes 10 helpful tips on how to keep children away from dangerous substances and harmful chemicals. The website also explains the different ways children may be exposed to lead.
3. Protecting Kids from Pesticides
These two tip sheets from the EPA offer essential pesticide safety guidance. The first pdf, Read the Label First emphasizes the importance of reading product labels before use. The second pdf, Play It Safe covers how to store pesticides properly and reduce exposure risks for children.
Section 5: Immunizations
Although the thought of getting a shot can be intimidating, keeping your child up-to-date on their immunizations is the best way to keep them healthy and protect them from preventable diseases.
1. Parent’s Guide to Immunizations
This Parent’s Guide to Immunizations covers information on immunizations, including their history, development, side effects, and benefits. It also explains what to expect during office visits and answers frequently asked questions about the topic.
2. Child Immunization Schedule
This child immunization schedule allows parents to track their child’s vaccination schedule by age, showing what vaccines are needed and the time window the child should receive them.
3. Tips for Less Stressful Shot Visits
This guide to reducing shot anxiety shares tips to help calm down children afraid of shots. It includes information on what to do before, during, and after vaccination appointments, making the experience smoother for both parents and children.
4. Risks of Not Vaccinating Children
This CDC resource on Reasons to Vaccinate discusses potential risks and responsibilities with parents on not vaccinating children and potential health consequences. It also discusses vaccine content and disclosure to medical practitioners.
Section 6: Vehicle Safety
Every year automobile accidents are one of the leading causes of death for both children and adults, but car seats help increase your child’s safety and reduce fatalities.
1. CDC Fact Sheet on Child Passenger Safety
This CDC child passenger safety fact sheet includes key statistics on the importance of car seats and features diagrams of car seats by age group.
2. Getting Your Car Seat Checked
This Car Seat Safety Guide explains how to get your child’s car seat inspected by a certified professional and includes a checklist to help parents prepare for the process.
3. Car Seat Inspector Locator
The NHTSA car seat inspection locator is an interactive tool that allows you to enter your ZIP code and find certified car seat inspection stations near you.
4. How to Install a Car Seat
This car seat installation guide provides videos and detailed instructions on how to install various types of car seats.
5. Car Seat Database
The NHTSA car seat database compares car seats based on ease of use, labeling, instructions, and other features to help parents choose the car seat that best fits their needs.
Chapter 2: Nutrition
Section 1: Nutritional Requirements
Eating a balanced diet is a necessity for growing children so it is important for parents to understand how to provide healthy meals and snacks containing the needed nutrients.
1. Nutrition Guide
Georgetown University’s Bright Futures in Practice: Nutrition is an illustrated nutrition resource for health professionals including physicians, nurses, dietitians, and social workers. The guide outlines nutritional requirements and breakdowns topics such as breastfeeding, allergies, obesity, oral health, diabetes, eating disorders and more.
2. Choose My Plate
USDA’s MyPlate Homepage provides resources and webpages on healthy eating, food tracking, physical activity, and calorie awareness. The MyPlate feature was designed by the USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion and is a visual representation of the proportion of each food group that a healthy meal should include.
3. Good and Cheap Meal Plans
Good and Cheap is a free cookbook by Leanne Brown that includes meal plans and recipes, specifically designed for families using SNAP/Food Stamp benefits. It also includes healthy options for families with limited resources.
Section 2: Meal Planning
Meal planning can simplify grocery shopping, save time, reduce the amount of food wasted, and ensure that children are getting a balanced diet.
1. Daily food Planner and Worksheets
USDA's MyPlate has tools and resources that include MyPlate meal guides and worksheets tailored for different age groups. These help families ensure children get the right amounts from each food group.
2. Meal Generator
Eat This Much is a customizable meal generator that creates daily meal plans based on individual calorie goals and dietary preferences or restrictions.
3. Budget Bytes
This recipe collection, Budget Bytes, offers affordable and simple recipes with detailed cost breakdowns for each dish.
4. Super Cook
This SuperCook tool allows users to input the ingredients available at home and generate recipe suggestions for meals and snacks using those items.
Chapter 3: Mental Health
Section 1: Autism
1. Autism Spectrum Disorder
The CDC defines Autisim Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as “a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges”. This CDC resource on ASD is committed to providing data on ASD prevalence, risk factors and possible causes, as well as helping to identify children with ASD as early as possible.
2. Autism Speaks - Websites for Families
This Autism Speaks directory offers a curated list of websites with information and resources for families with children on the autism spectrum.
3. Intervention Options for Parents and Educators
The CDC’s intervention strategies page provides an overview of options for supporting children with ASD, specifically for parents and educators. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between home and school to ensure the best possible outcomes for children with ASD.
Section 2: Depression and Anxiety
1. Childhood Depression: What Parents Can Do To Help
This guide to depression in children and teens summarizes what childhood depression is, how to recognize the signs, and how parents can support their child dealing with depression. Additional mental health resources and links are also included at the bottom of the page.
2. Understanding Depression
This KidsHealth article on childhood depression explains that “depression is the most common mental health problem in the United States, so it’s wise for parents and caregivers to learn about depression and how to help if your child, or a child you know, seems depressed.” This website offers the necessary information for parents to understand depression.
3. Anxiety and Depression in Children and Teens
This Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s resource page explores how anxiety and depression can manifest in children and teens. It emphasizes the importance of recognition and intervention because 80% of kids diagnosed with anxiety disorders and 60% of kids diagnosed with depression are not receiving treatment.
Section 3: Eating Disorders
1. Eating Disorders
The National Institute of Mental Health's eating disorders page explains what eating disorders are, outlines signs and symptoms, and provides information on risk factors, diagnosis, treatment options, and current clinical trials. The webpage also links to featured publications and recent PubMed journal articles.
2. National Eating Disorder Association
The National Eating Disorders Association website offers a wide range of resources, from personal stories of battling eating disorders to a helpline and other support programs and options. “NEDA provides programs and services to give families the support they need to find answers for these life-threatening illnesses."
3. National Association of Anorexia and Associated Eating Disorders
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) website provides comprehensive support for individuals affected by eating disorders through a helpline, online forums, treatment information, educational materials, early detection resources, publicity, support groups, and up-to-date research.
Section 4: Stress
1. Childhood Stress
This article on childhood stress explains what stress is, common sources of stress in children, how to recognize symptoms, and strategies parents can use to help their children cope.
2. Identifying Signs of Stress in Children
This American Psychological Association guide to stress in children and teens describes how to spot signs of stress in children such as feeling sick or changes in behavior and attitude. It also provides guidance on how address and support children experiencing stress.
3. Article on Children and Stress
This Slate article on children and stress discusses how parental stress can impact the health and well-being of children. Dr. Kazdin discusses “a chronically harsh, conflict-ridden, chaotic household environment can do psychological damage and related physical damage” to children. Dr. Kazdin provides evidence-based information in a format that is easy-to-read and convenient for parents and educators.
Chapter 4: Parenting Topics
Section 1: Child Abuse
No child should suffer from abuse or neglect. Luckily, there are resources and programs to help address this national issue.
1. Preventing Child Maltreatment
This World Health Organization (WHO) and International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect published this comprehensive overview on preventing child maltreatment. This international guide include a comprehensive analysis of preventing child maltreatment, global risk factors, and recommendations for prevention strategies.
2. Evidence-Based Practices to Prevent Child Maltreatment
This Child Welfare Information Gateway resource page from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers “resources to learn more about child abuse prevention programs and strategies supported by scientific research. These resources can help programs choose and implement evidence-based practices that will suit the needs of the families and communities they serve.”
3. Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect with Parent Training
This peer-reviewed study on Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect with Parent Training discusses risk factors for child abuse, the characteristics of successful parenting programs, how to keep parents engaged, and the importance of implementing only evidence-based programs.
Section 2: Communication
Healthy and effective communication is part of every relationship throughout a person’s life and is a building block for developing trust and respect.
1. Parent/Child Communication
Published by the Center for Effective Parenting, this document summarizes how to start a healthy dialog between parents and children. Additionally, it has information on how to avoid negative communication and how parents can show children that they are really listening to them.
2. Remaining Calm
In this Slate article on anger management, Dr. Kazdin, director of Yale's Parenting Center, offers practical strategies for anger management and improving parent-child communication when you are frustrated or upset. Dr. Kazdin highlights different tactics parents can try to improve communication.
3. Communication Tips
This American Psychological Association parenting resource provides guidance on how to communicate effectively with your children, including advice on being present for conversations and active listening.
Section 3: Discipline
Parents should know the difference between discipline and punishment in order to effectively address child behavioral issues.
1. Disobedience and Parenting Advice
Dr. Kazdin, the director of Yale's Parenting Center, wrote a series of evidence-based articles with practical parenting solutions on topics including spanking, timeouts, and behavior change strategies.
2. Positive Discipline and Guidance
This University of Missouri’s publication on Positive Discipline and Child Guidance outlines how to communicate expectations with children. It also lists positive discipline techniques for parents including how to remain positive and reduce unnecessary conflict.
3. Decisions about Discipline
This parenting guide on decisions about discipline developed by Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood offers research-based recommendations for supporting children and guiding parents when making decisions about discipline.
4. Effective Discipline Guidance
This American Academy of Pediatrics publication on effective discipline provide evidence-based advice on managing undesired behavior and effective discipline.
Section 4: Personal Finance
Personal finance is a life skill. Being able to successfully save money, create a budget, and plan for the future reduces stress and increases a family’s security.
1. Budgeting Resources
Mint (free) and You Need a Budget (paid) are online resources and personal finance tools that sync with your bank accounts and cards to help create detailed budgets and track spending. Both platforms categorize spendings, pay bills, and track changes in spending or savings.
2. Spending and Saving
The University of Minnesota Extension page on spending, saving, and retirement includes lessons and resources on budgeting, sending, saving and other personal finance topics. Audio-recorded lessons on financial challenges and links to additional tools are also available.
3. Khan Academy
Khan Academy’s finance and capital markets lesson offers a variety of video lessons on personal finance topics like credit cards, Roth IRAs, and 401(k)s. For example, the video Institutional Roles in Issuing and Processing Credit Cards is short and easy to understand, making them an excellent resource for people hoping to learn personal finance basics.
4. Free Tax Assistance
The IRS's Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers offer free assistance to eligible individuals if they generally make $53,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and those with limited English proficiency who need help preparing their own tax returns.
Section 5: Routines and Rules
Establishing consistent routines and rules for children creates a predictable daily structure and gives children the feeling of stability.
1. Setting Rules and Developing Self-Control
This Parenting Science article on teaching self-control presents evidence-based strategies for setting effective rules and helping children develop willpower and self-control.
2. Family Routines and Rituals
Sponsored by International Society for Early Intervention, this article publication on Family Routines and Rituals highlights the importance of family routines for child development. Specifically, in areas like language, academic skills, social skills, and emotional stability. Topics like family dinners and bed time rituals are also explained.
3. Motivating Children
Dr. Kazdin, director of Yale's Parenting Center, wrote a Slate article titled "Get off Facebook and Do Something" to motivate children to be more active and engaged in daily life. It includes suggestions to spot warning signs and ways to change unproductive behavior. Dr. Kazdin also writes a second article, "If you're Good, I'll Buy you a Toy" to explain the difference between bribes and rewards to motivate your child or their behavior.
Chapter 5: Child Development
Section 1: Developmental Milestones
It is important for parents to know what to expect as their child progresses and develops. By being aware of general developmental milestones parents can spot warning signs early.
1. Virginia’s Early Childhood Development Alignment Project
This Milestones of Child Development guide developed and published by the Virginia Department of Social Services and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation for the Virginia Early Childhood Advisory Council outlines children developmental milestones for from birth to kindergarten.
2. Healthy Children Ages and Stages
This Ages and Stages resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics features articles addressing child developmental milestones and age-specific challenges, spanning from prenatal to college-aged children.
3. Motivating Children
The Talaris Institute research portal is committed to supporting parents and caregivers by sharing the latest scientific findings and current research in early childhood development. Categories include cognitive, language and communication, social/emotional, and physical development.
Section 2: Self Esteem
Even as an adult, it can be difficult to be confident and have high self esteem. Consequently, it is important for parents to help foster healthy self esteem in their children from a young age.
1. Self Esteem in Children: Strategies for Parents and Educators
This National Association of School Psychologists publication on Self-Esteem in Children: Strategies for Parents and Educators outlines evidence-based strategies that parents, caregivers, and educators can use to help children develop self-esteem.
2. Kids and Self Esteem
The University of Missouri's Building Strong Families program offers guidance on fostering children’s self-esteem. It summarizes research findings, provides advice, and includes links to self-esteem handouts and PowerPoints in both English and Spanish.
3. Being a Positive Role Model
In this Slate article titled "I Spy Daddy Giving Someone the Finger," Dr. Kazdin who is the director of Yale’s Parenting Center, discusses how children often imitate their parents’ behavior whether they realize it or not. It emphasizes the importance for adults to model behavior they would like their children to have and to lead by example.
Section 3: Sleep
Getting enough sleep has a substantial impact on both short and long term health. As a result, parents should make sure that their child is getting enough quality sleep.
1. Evidence-based Sleep Tips
This Parenting Science blog offers evidence-based strategies and tips for addressing family sleep challenges. It reviews recent research from anthropology, brain science, sleep science, and pediatrics. It also includes discussions of baby sleep and best available evidence regarding child sleep requirements.
2. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Problems in Childhood
Created by the Medical University of South Carolina, this report from the American Academy of Family Physicians explains common sleep problems children face and how to distinguish between normal and abnormal sleep patterns.
3. Sleep Problems
This Mott Children’s Hospital resource outlines typical sleep issues parents may face despite sleep being so vital for health. Some children may have chronic sleep difficulties and many go through their days sleep deprived. Because of this, it is extremely important children get the best sleep possible.
Section 4: TV/Media
Smart phones, television shows, movies, and social media sites are now more popular and easily accessible than ever. As a result, it is smart for parents to put limits on tv and media consumption.
1. Screen Sense
This Screen Sense guide created in collaboration with leading researchers offers an authoritative review of what is currently known about how screen media affects young children’s learning and development. It serves as a helpful tool for parents and professionals to make informed decisions about media use.
2. Social Media and Children
According to this ScienceDaily article, the American Psychological Association explains that while social media poses both risks and benefits to children, and parents who secretly monitor their kids' activity online may be doing so in a way that is ineffective and wastes their time.
3. Commercials, Ads, and Child Wellbeing
This publication from the Department for Children, Schools, and Families reports the influence of advertisements, commercials, and television on child wellbeing and emotional health.
Chapter 6: Education and School
Section 1: Bullying
Smart phones, television shows, movies, and social media sites are now more popular and easily accessible than ever. As a result, it is smart for parents to put limits on tv and media consumption.
1. Screen Sense
This free guide from Zero to Three written in partnership with leading researchers in the field of media and young children offers a review of how screen media influences young children’s learning and development. It is designed as a tool for guiding parents and professionals in making informed decisions about screen media usage.
2. Social Media and Children
This ScienceDaily article sourced from the American Psychological Association highlights both the risks and benefits of social media for children. However, the article stresses that secretly monitoring a child's online behavior is ineffective and parents are wasting their time. Instead, building open communication and trust is key.
3. Commercials, Ads, and Child Wellbeing
This publication from the Department for Children, Schools, and Families reports the influence of advertisements, commercials, and television on child wellbeing and emotional health.
Section 2: Literacy
1. Literacy Learning Library
This resource page is from the International Literacy Association (ILA), a professional organization that connects research and practice to continuously improve the quality of literacy instruction across the globe.
2. Literacy Tool Kit
This Early Literacy resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics is for families to explore and expand their understanding of early literacy. Some links have interactive reading games and stories and others have tips for helping struggling readers. Some early literacy resources also come in a number of different languages.
3. Helping Children Learn to Read
This Slate article is from Dr. Kazdin, president of the American Psychological Association in 2008 and director of Yale's Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic. He discusses how parents can help foster a love of reading in children and help them learn to read.
Section 3: Parental Involvement
1. Harvard Family Research Project-Parent Involvement
This article on family involvement from Harvard Graduate School of Education provides information on effective ways to support family involvement in children’s learning and development. It also promotes strategies that support children’s learning in school, at home, and in the community.
2. Family Engagement
The Washington Family Engagement is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing research and resources on family engagement and supporting school-family partnerships. The nonprofit focuses on building the capacity of schools, families, and communities to work together for the education and well-being of children and youth.
3. Center for Parent Information and Resources
The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) serves as a central resource of information and products for Parent Training Information (PTI) Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), helping them better support families of children with disabilities.