Parent Resources

We’ve compiled a few of our favorite Health, Safety, Child Development, Recommended Toys and Parenting resources below. If you have a web site that you recommend, please let us know!

Be sure to check out free web casts on great child development topics from national early care and education experts!  Many parents and professionals have benefited from the web cast series.

See the last entry on this page for more information on getting started.

One participant talks about the webcasts, “WOW is all I can think of. Absolutely life changing information for our young children and the adults in their lives.”

Web MD Child Health Center – From illnesses to food allergies to sleep problems, a great resource for a wide range of questions.

FDA Consumer Updates

USDA Mypyramid.gov – Eating guide for preschoolers and kids

WIC Works – Cuyahoga County Women, Infants and Children Program – WIC is a program that provides eligible women, infants and children up to age 5 years with: nutrition education; breastfeeding information and support; supplemental, nutritious foods like milk, cereal, eggs, juices & peanut butter or beans; screening and referrals to other health and social service programs as needed.

Amber Alert – Introducing the new Amber Alert GPS 2G. The world’s smallest, most powerful GPS tracking device. Tracking your child is as easy as placing a call or sending a text.

Toy and Product Recalls at Safekids.org (sign up to receive monthly recall emails) and Parents.com (where you can search for recalls)

Child proofing guide

How To Raise A Smart Baby – This Parent Education Module provides parents with clear and specific examples of what they need to do from day one to develop and raise a smart baby. This is a practical resource for new and experienced parents who care about the learning and future for their baby.

Higher Order & Creative Thinking Skills (3 – 7 Year Olds) – The activities written in ‘Higher Order & Creative Thinking Skills – 3 to 7 Year Olds aim to unlock independent thinking in children. The fun and stress-free activities provide opportunities for open-ended response where children are encouraged to look at things differently and ‘think outside the square.’

Nick Jr Boost – Nick Jr. Boost is an educational online subscription service designed for preschoolers through first graders. Nick Jr. Boost follows school curriculum, focusing on the major concepts kids need for academic success. Skills range from learning the alphabet to improving reading comprehension; from simple counting to mastering addition and subtraction; and from creative self-expression to conquering the computer keyboard.

Click N Kids – Reading & Spelling for Young Children – As early as 4 years, children can learn to read. Give your child a head start with this program widely used in homes and in school districts. Great for kids 4 to 10 years old.

Melissa & Doug Toys – Great items to encourage physical, intellectual and psychological development in young children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug® is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products.

Back to Basics Toys – Toys with “Play Value” for kids of all ages. Encourage fun, creative, active play with toys designed to encourage physical, intellectual and psychological development.

Instant Baby Sleep – Audio soundtrack developed by a sound engineer that based on acoustic and neuropsychological research can produce sleep in a matter of minutes. Plus parent guide that provides tips and directions for use.

Being A Happy Effective Parent – Parenting can be one of the most enjoyable, rewarding, and challenging roles of our lives. This audio program will help you make the most of this opportunity. You will learn how you can help your children become more happy, independent and successful.

Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC) Webcast Series – FREE web casts on child development.  National experts have provided presentations on various topics.  These webcasts are designed for both early childhood professionals and parents seeking information about young children’s development and developmentally appropriate practices.

Quick Start Tips to watch Web Casts:

Step 1: Click here to view the list of web casts.

Step 2: Select the web cast you would like to watch.

Step 3: Go through the checkout process – don’t worry, it’s free!

Step 4: On your  first visit, you will be promoted to enter your basic information and create a login.  (Next visits you’ll just login.)

Step 5: Click the yellow icon to answer a very brief survey.  This only takes a minute and is required to watch the web cast.

That’s it!  Now you can watch the web cast!