Serena Wieder, Ph.D. was invited to represent ICDL at a Congressional briefing held on February 12, 2009, as part of an advocacy effort to highlight the positive impact of early childhood education and care on children’s health. The event was held in the context of the discussion of the stimulus bill and was sponsored by the First Five Years Fund, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, First Focus, the National Head Start Association and Trust for America’s Health.

Dr. Wieder underlined that high quality early childhood programs are needed more than ever to support families during these difficult moments. She also emphasized that language, cognition, math, and quantity concepts are best learned through the active emotionally guided interactive relationships early in life, and described the essential components that every high quality early childhood program should have.

• To read Dr. Wieder’s full presentation, click here
• To watch a video of the congressional briefing, including Dr. Wieder's presentation, click here

Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything!

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• Promote Healthy Development using the DIR/Floortime Model

With the recent signing of the stimulus bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) calls for significant funding to grow early childhood education and care programs, including:

• $1.1 billion for Early Head Start;
• $1 billion for Head Start;
• $2 billion for the Child Care Development Block Grant, with nearly $94 million targeted toward improving infant and toddler care;
• $900 million to support infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities and special needs through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and
• Significant funds to support education, including early childhood education programs and services.