The IRIS Center: Research-based resources for educators
"The IRIS Center is a national center dedicated to improving education outcomes for all children, especially those with...
#Early Intervention
Promoting Self-Regulation in the First Five Years
Self-regulation is how we manage our feelings, energy level and thoughts in productive ways that help us stay connected with others and focused on goals in spite of challenges or disruptions.
Read this summary of findings on self-regulation from the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It’s one of a series of five briefs on self regulation.
Diet and Hyperactivity
As shared in Exchange Every Day, from Child Care Information Exchange, a new study reports a link between consuming food dyes and sodium benzoate, and hyperactivity in children.A UK study reported in Work & Family Life (November 2007; www.workandfamilylife.com) demonstrates the impact of food additives on children's behavior. Researchers at the University of Southampton served 300 children in two age groups (3's and 8-9's) three different fruit drinks...
TRUCE Toy Guide Now Available
TRUCE (Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment) has released its 2008 Toy Action Guide, just in time for the holidays. In their own words, This guide is intended to help adults promote children’s creative and constructive play by making informed choices about toys, and by working with others at home, school, and in the community to promote positive play and toys. The guide includes indispensable tips for how to...
One Stop for Free Assistive Technology
Steve Jacobs has created One Stop for Free Assistive Technology, a clearing house of free assistive technology tools available for a variety of needs. It is organized alphabetically, but if you choose a few handy keywords, you can usually jump to the products that would be of interest to you. Steve is also open to submissions of additional resources not yet on the site.
Q-Charm – AAC on your wrist!
Check out the Q-Charm customizable bracelet for a down-to-earth, convenient low-tech communication and cuing system. Q-Charms are silicone...
ASL Pro
ASL Pro is a web site that offers a free American Sign Language video dictionary and quiz tool for teachers and others who want to teach or learn sign language. Words and phrases are organized into a Main Dictionary, Religious Dictionary, Conversational Dictionary (including idioms), and ASL for Babies Dictionary. The quiz and learning tools include finger spelling quizzes and customizable quizzes.
Foundation for Children with Behavioral Challenges
Foundation for Children with Behavioral ChallengesFCBC (Foundation for Children with Behavioral Challenges) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and support for caregivers to promote awareness of more enlightened, compassionate, and effective approaches, such as Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS)SM for helping children who struggle with social, emotional and behavioral challenges. FCBC began in 1988 as a grass roots organization, P.T.E.K. (Parent and Teachers of Explosive Kids).http://www.fcbcsupport.org/
The Color Bug: Radio-Controlled Art
The RC Color Bug is one cool idea (and one we used to rig up ourselves with remote controlled cars, markers and rubber bands). This lady-bug shaped toy holds markers point down so kids can draw by steering the bug with a button-operated remote. With a little work, we could probably adapt the remote to work with ability switches used by many kids with physical disabilities. At the...
U.S. health officials say autism rate about 1 in 150
The article below makes one pause... MIKE STOBBE Associated Press ATLANTA - The largest U.S. study of autism has found that the troubling condition is more common than previously understood. About one in 150 American children has autism, U.S. health officials said Thursday, calling the troubling disorder an urgent public health concern that is more common than they once thought. The new numbers are based on the largest,...