[caption id="attachment_23971" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo: Barney Moss[/caption] The “summer slide” describes a student's tendency to fall behind in academic progress over the summer months, and is a term that every parent should know. Between the rush of pool parties, play dates and other fun summer activities, it’s all too easy for a parent...
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPCFaU_mFL8[/embed] Alisha and Adam are first-time parents whose eyes twinkle with joy as they describe their daughter, Addison. Addison is a happy, independent toddler who loves to read and share story time with her family. Parenthood did not begin as a smooth journey for Addison's parents, whose daughter was born six weeks early, immediately...
The Arizona Head Start Association's recently released statewide impact report provides crucial insight on the needs of Arizona children, and sheds light on the socioeconomic circumstances early childhood advocates aim to combat. More than 35 percent of Arizona’s children from birth to age 5 are living in poverty. Of the 15 percent...
Summer is the ideal time for children who will be entering kindergarten to learn the skills needed to make a smooth, successful transition into school. Parents who reflect on their own kindergarten experience may relish memories of treats and nap time, but a lot has changed in the years since most parents...
By Terrance Matteo, Ph.D. Many parents quickly discover that “sleeping like a baby” isn’t always all that it’s cracked up to be. Sleep issues are one of the most common concerns that parents share with professionals when raising infants and young children. [caption id="attachment_23952" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo Credit: Pedro Serapio[/caption] Studies show that...
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmNG-0wOEc0[/embed] [caption id="attachment_23929" align="alignleft" width="225"] Stefani and her family explore the Washington sights, stopping to take a photo at the Lincoln Memorial in front of the Washington Monument and reflecting pool.[/caption] Early childhood advocates traveled from across the country to meet in Washington, D.C., today for Strolling Thunder, an event coordinated by...
Help children in need foster a love of reading. Local businesses are calling on early literacy supporters to help them #GrowAReader this May by participating in Southwest Human Development’s Grow A Reader virtual book drive. "Unfortunately, lots of kids arrive in kindergarten unprepared and without the early literacy skills they need to be...
Myrna Chilese and Kathy Cory are retired school teachers with hearts of gold, and a passion for helping children succeed that far surpasses classroom walls. As Myrna and Kathy embarked on a post-retirement journey of volunteerism, they fatefully found Southwest Human Development and have since been loyal volunteers. The “best friends”...
Temperatures in Arizona are quickly rising; a sure sign of a fast-coming summer break from school. Desert dwellers know that whether you’re an adult or a toddler, nothing says refreshing like a dip in the pool. [caption id="attachment_23943" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo: Adrian Gonzales[/caption] Before you slather on the sunblock, remember to take...
Southwest Human Development has received significant new backing for two of its critical early childhood programs for Arizona children and their families. The Vanguard Strong Start for Kids Program™ has awarded Southwest Human Development a $210,000 grant to ensure that at-risk families with newborns or those who are expecting and face...
