News | Southwest Human Development

September 1, 2016

LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium partner to help Arizona kids

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona and SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium have partnered with Southwest Human Development for a weekend of family fun in support of the nonprofit’s programs and services dedicated to helping Arizona’s children and their families. On Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18, LEGOLAND Discovery Center and SEA LIFE will donate $2 to Southwest Human Development, one of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to early childhood development, for each admission ticket sold, plus families will receive $5 off individual admission when purchased online in advance. “Arizona is lucky to have two great family attractions like LEGOLAND Discovery Center and SEA...

August 26, 2016

Southwest Human Development introduces the ‘Up Up Up’ children’s book

A great book is more than just a read. It’s a step up for a child’s imagination and development. To help improve early literacy and put more high-quality children’s books in the hands of young kids, Southwest Human Development, one of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to early childhood development, recently published its first-ever children’s book, Up Up Up. Written by Phoebe Fox and illustrated by Michael Hale, Up Up Up is a story about a fanciful trip taken up an elevator by a lovable cast of animals on their way to a friend’s birthday party. Up Up Up is available for...

August 19, 2016

Sing a rhyme, it’s early development time!

"Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "Humpty Dumpty." Queue a flood of childhood memories! You may not be able to remember where you were or your exact age when you enjoyed these rhymes, but odds are that your inner-child cherishes a favorite. Believe it or not, there’s an incredible amount of reasons to pass down nursery rhyme memories to your own children that surpass entertainment and sentimental value. Nursery rhymes are one of the many branches extending from musical entities that have the power to positively influence the lives of young children. Dr. Dennie Palmer Wolf of WolfBrown partnered...

August 15, 2016

Submit your children’s book manuscript

Do you have a great children’s book manuscript that you’d like to share with the world? You can be a part of Southwest Human Development’s second annual First Edition Children’s Book Contest; grab a notebook and let your inner-child run free! Southwest Human Development is looking for its next winning children’s book writer. The selected manuscript will be professionally illustrated, published and promoted by Southwest Human Development. The winner of the First Edition Children’s Book Contest will receive a $1,000 advance and an eight-percent royalty. The selected book will be distributed to more than 2,500 children and placed for sale online and...

August 12, 2016

Building your child’s healthy self-esteem early

Self-esteem is a confidence in one’s own worth, abilities, and self-respect and overall understanding of one’s self. It is a term that many people are familiar with because it impacts day-to-day living both consciously and subconsciously. Maneuvering through the world can be tricky for any child, which is why being equipped with healthy self-esteem is an invaluable asset to have in order to be successful. The formulation of concepts such as self-worth and success begins from birth. Children with high self-esteems are more likely to be realists with a sense of optimism. In contrast, a poor self-esteem often leads to health and...

August 9, 2016

Hundreds of backpacks distributed at Back to School Social

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IT5vgs8uZE[/embed] Out with the pool days and popsicles, in with the school bells and homework! Tis the season for the back-to-school shuffle. Shopping for backpacks and school supplies is a common back-to-school tradition, but not all children have the opportunity to storm local store aisles with their families and leave with an armful of new school supplies. This holds especially true for children in the foster care system who often have little-to-no belongings when they are placed with families. Each and every child deserves to start off his or her new school year fully prepared, which is why Southwest Human Development hosted the...

August 5, 2016

Join us at the Sept. 13 ADAPT Shop Open House

Join Southwest Human Development at the ADAPT Shop Open House on Sept. 13, 2016 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. to explore assistive technology and learn how to become a “friend of ADAPT”! The ADAPT Shop is a workshop dedicated to creating custom-made equipment and supporting children ages birth to five with physical disabilities. Attendees of the ADAPT Shop Open House will have the opportunity to meet ADAPT Shop families, tour the building, and learn about assistive technology. Guest speaker Honorable Randall Howe will share his incredible story of how his parents’ advocacy of disabilities lead him to receive his education and eventually...

August 1, 2016

Ways you can help your child start the school year off right

By Mindy Zapata, Southwest Human Development's director of Head Start A school year off to a great start can influence a child’s attitude, confidence and performance both socially and academically. The transition into school can be difficult for children and parents. Even children who are eager to start school may need to make adjustments as they start their school year. The amount of adjustment is dependent on the individual child; however, parents can help their children manage the back to school transition and make the first day easier. No need for the back-to-school blues; help your child transition and promote a year...

July 26, 2016

Raising A Reader mom: ‘It made a difference not just to Arlyn, but to my entire family’

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUinHdFTz7g[/embed] Before the first homework assignment, quiz, or step into the classroom, a child’s learning experience begins at home. Southwest Human Development’s Raising A Reader program builds literacy within communities and is designed to aid parents in becoming their child’s first teacher. Nora Chavero and her family embarked on a quest for literacy upon discovering Raising A Reader; however, their story wasn’t always a book-filled fairytale. Once upon a time, the Chavero household did not have a library card or many books within their home. Nora’s sons struggled in kindergarten and books were not a of interest. When Raising A Reader became available...

July 22, 2016

ADAPT Shop building better lives for children with disabilities

Phoenix workshop designs adaptive equipment to help children become more independent in daily activities There’s a workshop tucked away near Sky Harbor International Airport that focuses on changing lives — designing and building customized equipment adaptations that will give children with disabilities hope and help as they learn to navigate the world. It’s called the ADAPT Shop, one of several Easterseals disabilities services provided by Southwest Human Development, and it’s a place where every project begins with an idea based on a need and ends with a life improved. Thanks to therapists and fabricators ready to make a difference, children from birth...