Innovative Approaches to Supporting Families of Young Children

Book excerpt: This invaluable reference introduces successful strengths-based programs for aiding families of young children in critical social contexts: family, school, community, and policy. The wide range of systems/contextual approaches described here are based in current understanding of children’s development, stress and resilience in families, cultural competence, and the two-generational approach to intervention. Research-based examples across early care and early learning platforms illustrate the links between parental protective factors and children’s academic and social outcomes, and between family stability and larger social goals. By supporting parents and children equally, the contributors assert, these interventions more fully address developmental and family issues than programs that mainly serve one generation or the other. Included in the coverage:• Parent and community focused approaches to supporting parents of young children: the Family Networks Project./div• Honoring parenting values, expectations, and approaches across cultures.• Building young children's executive functions at home and in early care and education settings.• Promoting early childhood development in the pediatric medical home.• Neighborhood approaches to supporting families of young children.• Public policy strategies to promote the well-being of families with young children. Innovative Approaches for Supporting Parents of Young Children benefits professionals and practitioners working to support families of young children, particularly those interested in social work, psychology, public policy, and public health.