News in Brief

Zero to Three's Response to NBC Reality Series "Baby Borrowers" Legitimate social experiments are not conducted on national television or on reality shows. "Baby Borrowers" may have a catchy theme, but it exploits young children with potential harmful consequences.

"Sleep: An Important Part of Healthy Development." Vol. 61 of The Daily Parent, prepared by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 19th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book (2008) is a national and state-by-state profile of the well-being of America's children that ranks states on 10 key measures and provides data on the economic, health, education, and social conditions of America's children and families.

Long-Term Payoff Seen From Early-Childhood Education (Education Week). The latest analysis of a long-running early-childhood-education program for children of low-income families in Chicago suggests economic payoffs from such services that continue well into adulthood.

"The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture" summarizes the most recent scientific advances in understanding the importance of sensitive periods on brain development. The paper also discusses the implications of those findings for policy.

"Talking to Children: Why Some Mothers Do It More" is a new study published in the May/June 2008 issue of the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology that examines how mother and child characteristics might influence the way mothers talk to their infants. The study also demonstrates that mothers can help children overcome some of the risks to language development associated with poverty.

Science, politics and preschool (Chicago Tribune)
Experts agree: Kids need early education programs. But how early? This article explores the debate about whether to target early childhood investments at children ages 0-3 or 3-5.

"Depression: Out of the Shadows" is a multi-dimensional PBS project that explores the disease's complex terrain, offering a comprehensive and timely examination of this devastating disorder.

BadgerCare Plus is a new program for children and families in Wisconsin who need and want health insurance.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published the results of a study examining the extent of nonfatal infant maltreatment in the United States. A discussion of the study by the CDC and the Administration for Children, Youth and Families
(AYC) is available here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recently published a report titled The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan. The report describes how early adverse experiences impact long-term health, especially stress caused by child maltreatment.

ZERO TO THREE has released its much anticipated guidelines: Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers: Recommendations to States as a road map for states to use as they develop policies and programs for babies and toddlers.

Doctoral Program in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Developmental Disorders The Interdisciplinary Council on Learning and Developmental Disorders (ICDL) recently announced the first doctoral program in infant and early childhood mental health and developmental disorders. The program has an innovative interactive distance learning format that offers students flexible access to lectures, real time virtual classroom discussions, reflective supervision, and online access to videotaped clinical material and professional networks. Rolling admissions for the academic year beginning September 2008 are in progress.

The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture A new working paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (NSCDC) summarizes the most recent scientific advances in understanding the importance of sensitive periods on brain development and the implications of those findings for policy.

Mental Health Screening for Preschoolers
The latest "Snapshot" from the Frank Porter Graham (FPG) Child Development Institute (Issue #50) examines a study of mental health screening for preschoolers and demonstrates that preschoolers can benefit by a simple and inexpensive mental health screening process designed to flag potential signs of more serious problems.

Research on Challenging Behaviors in Preschool
The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) recently released a new policy brief by Lisa A. McCabe and Ellen C. Frede titled "Challenging Behaviors and the Role of Preschool Education." The brief looks at the prevalence of challenging behaviors among children in early care and education, discusses the role that preschool education plays in regard to problem behaviors, and provides recommendations to promote better behavioral outcomes.

A Science-Based Framework for Early Childhood Policy: Using Evidence to Improve Outcomes in Learning, Behavior, and Health for Vulnerable Children Report from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.

Frontline: The Medicated Child
In this documentary, FRONTLINE producer Marcela Gaviria confronts psychiatrists, researchers and government regulators about the risks, benefits and many questions surrounding prescription drugs for troubled children.


	News in Brief A summary of recent news articles and reports from other sources. Zero to Three's Response to NBC Reality Series "Baby Borrowers" Legitimate social experiments are not conducted on national television or on reality shows. "Baby Borrowers" may have a catchy theme, but it exploits young children with potential harmful consequences. "Sleep: An Important Part of Healthy Development." Vol. 61 of The Daily Parent, prepared by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 19th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book (2008) is a national and state-by-state profile of the well-being of America's children that ranks states on 10 key measures and provides data on the economic, health, education, and social conditions of America's children and families. Long-Term Payoff Seen From Early-Childhood Education (Education Week). The latest analysis of a long-running early-childhood-education program for children of low-income families in Chicago suggests economic payoffs from such services that continue well into adulthood. "The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture" summarizes the most recent scientific advances in understanding the importance of sensitive periods on brain development. The paper also discusses the implications of those findings for policy. "Talking to Children: Why Some Mothers Do It More" is a new study published in the May/June 2008 issue of the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology that examines how mother and child characteristics might influence the way mothers talk to their infants. The study also demonstrates that mothers can help children overcome some of the risks to language development associated with poverty. Science, politics and preschool (Chicago Tribune) Experts agree: Kids need early education programs. But how early? This article explores the debate about whether to target early childhood investments at children ages 0-3 or 3-5. "Depression: Out of the Shadows" is a multi-dimensional PBS project that explores the disease's complex terrain, offering a comprehensive and timely examination of this devastating disorder. BadgerCare Plus is a new program for children and families in Wisconsin who need and want health insurance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published the results of a study examining the extent of nonfatal infant maltreatment in the United States. A discussion of the study by the CDC and the Administration for Children, Youth and Families (AYC) is available here. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recently published a report titled The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan. The report describes how early adverse experiences impact long-term health, especially stress caused by child maltreatment. ZERO TO THREE has released its much anticipated guidelines: Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers: Recommendations to States as a road map for states to use as they develop policies and programs for babies and toddlers. Doctoral Program in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Developmental Disorders The Interdisciplinary Council on Learning and Developmental Disorders (ICDL) recently announced the first doctoral program in infant and early childhood mental health and developmental disorders. The program has an innovative interactive distance learning format that offers students flexible access to lectures, real time virtual classroom discussions, reflective supervision, and online access to videotaped clinical material and professional networks. Rolling admissions for the academic year beginning September 2008 are in progress. The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture A new working paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (NSCDC) summarizes the most recent scientific advances in understanding the importance of sensitive periods on brain development and the implications of those findings for policy. Mental Health Screening for Preschoolers The latest "Snapshot" from the Frank Porter Graham (FPG) Child Development Institute (Issue #50) examines a study of mental health screening for preschoolers and demonstrates that preschoolers can benefit by a simple and inexpensive mental health screening process designed to flag potential signs of more serious problems. Research on Challenging Behaviors in Preschool The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) recently released a new policy brief by Lisa A. McCabe and Ellen C. Frede titled "Challenging Behaviors and the Role of Preschool Education." The brief looks at the prevalence of challenging behaviors among children in early care and education, discusses the role that preschool education plays in regard to problem behaviors, and provides recommendations to promote better behavioral outcomes. A Science-Based Framework for Early Childhood Policy: Using Evidence to Improve Outcomes in Learning, Behavior, and Health for Vulnerable Children Report from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. Frontline: The Medicated Child In this documentary, FRONTLINE producer Marcela Gaviria confronts psychiatrists, researchers and government regulators about the risks, benefits and many questions surrounding prescription drugs for troubled children. New Brief on Investing in Parents so Children and Youth Succeed A recently published brief from the National Human Services Assembly titled looks at how a "parenting success" strategy can be used to strengthen families and communities. Implementing Policies to Reduce the Likelihood of Preschool Expulsion Report from the Foundation for Child Development.

Wisconsin ALLIANCE FOR infant Mental Health 133 south butler street, Suite 340 • madison, wisconsin 53703 Last Updated July 17, 2008