Explore a curated list of blogs, articles, websites, and videos for families and early childhood professionals about fostering skills like kindness, empathy, gratitude, resilience, perseverance, and focus in children.

The Backpack Connection Series was created by TACSEI to provide a way for teachers and parents/caregivers to work together to help young children develop social emotional skills and reduce challenging behavior. Teachers may choose to send a handout home in each child’s backpack when a new strategy or skill is introduced to the class. Each Backpack Connection handout provides information that helps parents stay informed about what their child is learning at school and specific ideas on how to use the strategy or skill at home. Skills addressed range from hitting and biting to whining and fearfulness.

This 2021 resource provides an overview of the concepts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and childhood trauma, highlights the gaps that remain in our understanding of the impact of childhood trauma and adversity on mental and physical health, and describes how these terms (childhood trauma vs. adversity) differ. This resource also offers providers, family advocates, and policymakers recommendations for ways in which ACEs and other childhood trauma-related concepts and resources can be combined to advance care for children and families who have experienced trauma.

Funded by Head Start, the Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (CECMHC) was formed to develop research-based strategies that can help Head Start programs build a strong mental health foundation for their children, families and staff. The website contains a variety of resources for families, staff, administrators, consultants and training and technical assistance providers.

CSEFEL provides various resources such as family tools, research syntheses, state planning, training kits and modules on various aspects of social and emotional development for infants and young children. Resources are organized by topic and audience, and are generally available in English and Spanish.

This working paper explains the importance of emotional experiences in early childhood development and its impact on the developing brain and the child’s long-term future. Policy implications and suggestions for programs are also discussed.

This website offers guidelines, in English and Spanish, for choosing and using toys safely. Check out the box on the top right corner of the site for suggestions for infants, toddlers, and school-age children.

This report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress provides guidance for pediatricians and other pediatric health care providers in recognizing and managing the behavioral and mental health symptoms exhibited by children who have been maltreated. In addition to summaries of the consequences of maltreatment, the report discusses currently available treatment approaches.

There are seven CONNECT Modules, each focusing on a discrete evidence-based practice. Information on research findings and related policies are provided as well as examples of practices. Included in the module are suggestions for activities, handouts, video and audio clips. Modules are also aligned to the NAEYC and DEC personnel preparation standards and the DEC Recommended Practices.