As the coronavirus crisis has escalated over the past months, everyday life has changed for millions of people across the country and around the world. As parents cope with reduced work hours, the loss of their job, or are asked to work from home with child care centers shut down,...
Annual advocacy day to feature first-ever Strolling Thunder™ Arizona; encourages policymakers to Think Babies™ The Arizona Early Childhood Alliance (AZECA) will host its Early Childhood Day on Wednesday, March 11, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Arizona State Capitol. The annual day of advocacy brings together families and early childhood champions to...
From Monday, March 23, through Saturday, March 28, Southwest Human Development will host its 12th annual and first virtual Walk With Me Family Fun Walk and Kids Festival to benefit the nonprofit’s Easterseals services for young children with disabilities. Walk With Me supporters can engage with others virtually by posting...
Serve and return interactions shape brain architecture. When an infant or young child babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds appropriately with eye contact, words, or a hug, neural connections are built and strengthened in the child’s brain that support the development of communication and social skills. The Center...
Eli hasn’t had the easiest path to first grade. Born a micro preemie at 24-weeks gestation, Eli spent 102 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Like many babies born extremely prematurely, Eli was born with underdeveloped lungs and needed a breathing tube to help him breathe. While life-saving for preemies, when it is...
Mountain America Credit Union and the Arizona Coyotes have partnered to present the "Guiding You Forward" program to benefit Southwest Human Development. As the largest early childhood development nonprofit in Arizona, Southwest Human Development provides critical resources to 140,000 children and their families annually. “This new partnership with Mountain America Credit Union was brought about...
February is National Children's Dental Health Month Healthy habits and behaviors are shared between family members. Love snacking on carrots and ranch? Enjoy riding your bike through the neighborhood? Chances are good that your kids do too. Dental anxiety is no different. It affects all ages and can be passed from one family member...
The Children’s Developmental Center at Southwest Human Development recently received a $50,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable giving arm of the Thunderbirds - hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. This award will support intake coordination services that help families avoid visits to multiple specialists and assists them in...
As digital media continues to become more and more popular, it’s easy for parents to forget the importance of reading aloud with their children. Reading with your child goes beyond learning about the words on the page. It helps wire their brain to be better learners and develop social and...
Celebrate tradition and cultural awareness with young children Cultural awareness and tradition play important roles in helping young children develop a positive sense of identity and build self-esteem. Studies show that cultural appreciation and awareness contribute to building a positive self image. Developing a strong foundation of belonging and acceptance through...