Early Childhood Information

In their first few years, children learn more and at a much faster pace than at any other time in their lives. The state of South Dakota offers a variety of early childhood programs. These programs offer information and visiting programs to assist parents in acquiring the skills to help make the most of these crucial early-learning years. These programs help parents learn about child development by suggesting activities that encourage language development, intellectual growth, social and motor skills, and strengthen the parent-child relationship.

Monitor your child’s development! Go to http://www.sdbrightstart.com, on left side look for child development and click on ages and stages.

Find an Early Childhood Program that serves you!

Parents as Teachers: (http://doe.sd.gov/oess/ECS/parteach/index.asp) Parents as Teachers is a unique parent education and readiness program based on the philosophy that parents are their children's first and most important teachers. Parent educators work with parents of infants and toddlers to assist them in anticipating their child's developmental milestones and help them to support and encourage optimal learning. Services include home visits, group meetings, developmental screening and referral to additional resources if needed .

Parents as Teachers is provided in the Black Hills through the South Dakota Parent Resource Network and services are available throughout the Black Hills region. For additional information contact: Patsy Locken plocken@tie.net, Northern Hills; Cindy Fox cfox@clc.tie.net, Rapid City; and Beth Haug bhaug@tie.net., Southern Hills To find a program near you - (http://doe.sd.gov/oess/ECS/parteach/index.asp)

Bright Start: (http://www.sdbrightstart.com) One of the top priorities of the Bright Start Initiative is to assure that every baby born in South Dakota has the opportunity for a good start in life. Bright Start is an early childhood initiative incorporating the following components: Home Visitation; Newborn Hearing Screenings; Early Intervention Screenings; Immunizations; Web Site; Parent/Infant Welcome Box; Monthly Parent Update; Responsive Parenting Seminars.

Head Start/Early Head Start:(http://doe.sd.gov/oess/ECS/headstart/index.asp) Head Start is a comprehensive program that provides educational, nutritional, health and social services to preschool aged (3-5) children from low income families. The program strengthens relationships within the family by encouraging parent involvement in all aspects of a child's development and in the Head Start program itself. Early Head Start serves expectant parents and their infants and toddlers. To find a program nearest you (http://doe.sd.gov/oess/ECS/headstart/index.asp)

Even Start: (http://doe.sd.gov/oess/title/Ipartb/evenstart/index.asp ) Even Start is a federally funded family literacy program integrating early childhood, adult education, and parenting education through intensive coordination of existing services and creation of a new range of services. The program focus is on family/parent literacy, parenting skills and child development. To find a program near you – (http://doe.sd.gov/oess/title/Ipartb/evenstart/index.asp)

Birth to Three Connections: (http://doe.sd.gov/oess/Birthto3/) The state of South Dakota participates in a federal program called the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C). In South Dakota we call this program the Birth to 3 program. Parents, teachers and health care providers know that children who receive early intervention services as early in their lives as possible are healthier and better learners . The state of South Dakota is committed to providing services to young children and their families. For more information or to see if your child is eligible go to website (above) and click on parent information.