COVID Resources from NCPMI

The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs to improve and support the capacity of state systems and local programs to implement an early childhood multi-tiered system of support to improve the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of young children with, and at risk for, developmental disabilities or delays. 

This link will bring you to a myriad of FREE PARENT RESOURCES and PRINTOUTS to help you and your children cope at home. 

Covid Resources

The JCC of Syracuse (NY) put together this concise explanation for parents about The Creative Curriculum.

"The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is a national resource center for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country. CSEFEL is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5."

MANY, MANY FREE RESOURCES and INFORMATION! 

The Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children is a conceptual framework of evidence-based practices developed by two national, federally-funded research and training centers: The Center for the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) and TACSEI. These centers’ faculty represent nationally recognized researchers and program developers in the areas of social skills and challenging behavior. Based on evaluation data over the last eight years, the Pyramid Model has shown to be a sound framework for early care and education systems. Extensive training materials, videos, and print resources to help states, communities and programs implement the model have been developed.

MANY, MANY FREE RESOURCES!!!

This resource site is based on the findings of Ellen Galinsky and her book; Mind in the Making; Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs.  The focus of her research, her book, and this site, are on building Executive Functioning Skills in children.  Current research shows that the development of these skills show the greatest predictor of success in later life.  These 7 essential life skills also correlate with  some of our "Cognitive" objectives in our curriculum (The Creative Curriculum).  Check out this site for some things you can do at home to help your child to build such skills as 

Music is a large part of our classroom!  There are so many benefits to including music in the classroom, ranging from creating a fun and inviting culture, practice listening, memory and literacy skills, igniting the parts of the brain that are associated with math learning, and helping to set a mood in our class.

I have taken the instructor course for Music Together, which is an extensively researched music program for early childhood learners and their families.  Although I am not an "official" Music Together teacher (you have to be teaching a Music Together class to say that), I do utilize many of the practices from their program to enhance my music lessons and overall program.  I have also added the UKULELE to my music repertoire!

In the classroom, I will use many of the songs from these two CD's, which are availble to the public.  If you have them at home, you can share in our singing joy:)  (and it is very helpful for children to have exposure to school songs at home).  

Music Together Family Favorites CD

Check out this website for more resources and information about the research and benefits of music in the classroom.  (And to get information about official Music Together classes in your area)

"This article presents a literature review of pertinent research that has dealt with the relationships between music education and emergent literacy in preschoolers during the past 20 years."

Excerpt from Jim's website:

"Since writing his million-copy bestseller, The Read-Aloud Handbook, in 1982, Jim Trelease has traveled to all 50 states and abroad, advocating the benefits of reading aloud to children.

IN doing so, he's won the applause of both teachers and parents for his pleas in behalf of literacy efforts that contain less "pain" and more focus on turning books into friends, not enemies.

WHILE more than 60 colleges use his Handbook as a text for education students, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, and Spanish editions now reach parents and teachers worldwide, even inspiring the successful "All of Poland Reads to Kids" campaign in Europe."

In the winter, we will be studying the birds in our own backyards!  As "scientists" we will use our EYES to notice the similarities in the birds that stay around New Hampshire for the winter.  We will use our EARS to listen and maybe identify the differences in the bird songs.  If you want to join us in exploring the sights and sounds of your winter backyard, check out this site with your child:)

Check out lots of great exhibits at The Children's Museum!

If you think your child's behavior may be affected by sugar and his/her diet, please check out this site about sugar and kids. I have heard great success stories from parents who tried these 7 guidelines and saw fantastic results with their kids!

A group put together for and by parents of students who receive special education services in the Merrimack School District.  They provide information, training, and general support so you don't have to go through the process alone.

Click this link for more information, or email merrimackpact@gmail.com