Families who have dedicated efforts to find the best early childhood programs for their children with developmental delays, disabilities, chronic health conditions or physical challenges may benefit from seeking information from the same resources as their neighbors.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children, NAEYC, provides resources, information, conferences and support for early childhood programs, educators, caregivers, families and other advocates for children. Dedicated to raising the quality of programs for children through the age of eight years old, the NAEYC provides program standards and basic information for families on quality preschool, kindergarten and primary education programs, and childcare.

Many parents of children with special needs are determined to find the best opportunities for their sons and daughters to grow up included in the stimulating and nurturing environments that also benefit their mainstream peers. The NAEYC offers accreditation to programs that meet their standards as well as ongoing training and continuing education for staff, mentors and trainers in the field.

Annual NAEYC Conferences are scheduled on November 7-10, 2009 in Chicago, IL and November 5-8, 2008 in Dallas, Texas. They hosted the National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development in New Orleans on June 8-11, 2008. Many outstanding regional, state and local conferences on early childhood education are also listed at their website.

NAEYC State, Regional and Local)Affiliate Conference Information can be found at the NAEYC website - http://www.naeyc.org

Browse at your local bookstore, public library, or online retailers for titles like How Understanding Your Child's Unique Learning Style Can Open the Door to Success



Some of the excellent articles and resources to be found at the NAEYC website include:

ECE Issues - Early Years are Learning Years
Quality Programs Nurture Relationships to Enhance Young Children's Learning
Your Child's First Report Card
Helping Young Children Start School
Choosing a Preschool
Singing as a Teaching Tool
Helping Toddlers Become Problem Solvers
http://www.naeyc.org/ece/eyly

Helping Young Children After a Disaster
http://www.naeyc.org/families/disaster.asp

Young Children - Journal of the NAEYC
http://www.journal.naeyc.org

Supporting Families of Children with Disabilities in Inclusive Programs
Supportive Care for Infants and Toddlers with Special Health Needs
The Reading Chair, March 2006 - Siblings

PDF Articles (Download) - http://www.journal.naeyc.org
Assistive Technology - Supporting the Participation of Children with Disabilities PDF
Position Statement on Inclusion - Early Childhood PDF
Achieving High-Quality Child Care PDF
Early Learning Standards PDF
"Standards recognize and accommodate variations in children’s cultures, languages, communities, and individual characteristics, abilities, and disabilities. This flexibility supports positive outcomes for all children"
Children's Literature about Health, Nutrition, and Safety - A First Look at Disability PDF
Children's Books about Family Relationships and Experiences - Grandparents PDF
Collaborative Steps - Paving the Way to Kindergarten for Young Children PDF
Print and Online Resources on Environments That Support Exploring, Learning, and Living PDF

Early Childhood Education - Books in Spanish
Developmental Discipline in the Classroom
Anti-Bias Curriculum
http://sales.naeyc.org/Itemdetail.aspx?Stock_No=242&Category=

Interest Forums and Networking Opportunities offered at the 2007 NAEYC Conference and Expo include:

At Risk and Special Needs
Diversity and Equity
Community Collaboration
Technology and Young Children
Tribal and Indigenous Early Childhood Network
Health and Safety
Kindergarten Interest Forum
Latino Caucus Interest Forum
Black Caucus Interest Forum
Children's Global Issues
Family Child Care Interest Forum
The Children of Incarcerated Parents
L\Gay\B\T Interest Forum
Men in Education (M.E.N.) Network Interest Forum
Nannies Interest Forum
Play, Policy, and Practice Interest Forum
Student Interest Forum
Worthy Wage Interest Forum

Networking

Celebration of Diversity reception
National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS) and Grounds for Play
Parent Cooperative Preschools International
The Program for Infant/Toddler Care PITC
National Jewish Early Childhood Network
Adventist Child Care Network
OMEP-USNC World Organization for Early Childhood Education
Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development at Tufts University
The North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA)
Devereux Early Childhood Initiative
Early Childhood Association of Florida
Arizona AEYC
Nevada AEYC
New York State AEYC
Maryland AEYC
Ohio AEYC

Also find at the NAEYC Website at http://www.naeyc.org:
Information and resources on critical issues in Early Childhood Policy and Practice
Evaluating and Using Research on Early Childhood Development and Education
Quick Links to recent research and reports on policy and advocacy.
Short practical articles for parents and other adults involved with children on a daily basis.
Resources that supplement each issue of Young Children.
Links to National Organizations