Child Development External Resources

A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development

In this challenging time, child development has not paused, and supporting children, families, and care providers of all kinds is as important as ever. This guide pulls together information on COVID-19, including what it means for child development, and shareable resources that can help parents, caregivers, child care providers, pediatricians, and others who work with families.


Webinar: Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Behaviour

Trauma in young children is much more pervasive—and much more destructive—than we ever thought. The research on trauma has made it clear that children’s challenging behavior is not intentional, but is instead driven by fear and a protective strategy for coping with their experience. This webinar helps participants develop an understanding of trauma and how it affects behavior, learn ways to support children, and develop strategies to promote your own resilience

Infographic – The Preschool Personality

Preschoolers know much better than they behave, and their good intentions can be short lived. The secret to caring for preschoolers is understanding. This infographic explains some of the characteristics of preschoolers that often frustrate or baffle adults - and how they are actually an important part of their developmental design!

Why is observation so important?

Most CNC staff understand the role of observation in early childhood education. But do they understand why it’s important? And more importantly, do they have the best systems and techniques in place to accurately assess toddler development? Early childhood education is not about teaching; it’s about exploration and learning, and observations play an important role in meeting the developmental needs of the newcomer children in your program.This important article and free ebook explain why observation is important, what it impacts, and how you can make it easier.

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

When infants are thought to be helpless, then they are often treated as helpless - leading to limited learning opportunities and experiences in our programs. The Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers booklet reminds us that we need to reframe our thinking and recognize that even our youngest learners are competent and capable. It also provides readers with strategies for encouraging independence and competence as infants and toddlers grow, mature and achieve new skills.

Infographic – Why Play Matters

When children play they develop connections between the motor, perceptual, cognitive, social, and emotional areas of the brain. Critical thinking, communication, language, and emotional expression are also developed in play through trial and error. Here are some of the ways you can create the conditions for play and the benefits to children’s development.

Science of Early Child Development

The Science of Early Child Development (SECD) resources bring research and concepts to life with hundreds of readings, videos, links, questions for reflection, and interactive activities. From the latest research into babies' brain development and the impact of early experience on well-being, to topics such as child rights, literacy and the importance of play, SECD explores how nature and nurture interact from conception on to construct a foundation for development.

What’s Behind Separation Anxiety

Handling separation anxiety isn’t only about managing an individual child, it is also about working with their parents through it all and creating a safe and welcoming environment. It also helps to understand what's behind separation anxiety for different age groups, and strategies to help!

How-to-Video: 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve & Return

Did you know that you can help build a child’s brain – starting even before babies can talk? Simple serve and return interactions between adults and young children help make strong connections in developing brains. And, it’s easy and fun to do! This how-to video from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child breaks down serve and return into 5 simple steps and features adults and young children doing each step together.

A Guide to Toxic Stress in Childhood

Chances are, you’ve heard or read something about toxic stress—maybe from the media, from a physician or other medical professional, or from a family member, friend, or neighbor. You may feel overwhelmed by all of the toxic stress information out there. And, unfortunately, it’s very easy to find misleading or incorrect information. The Center on the Developing Child created this Guide to Toxic Stress to clear up the confusion and help you learn the facts about toxic stress step by step.