The statement that “knowledge is power” is especially true for parents who want to be effective advocates for their children with disabilities. To make sure parents have the information they need most, PACER conducted a survey, and nearly a thousand people responded. Given a list of choices, parents of children from each age group indicated their top three concerns. This PACER Action Sheet provides a selection of helpful information to address each topic from a variety of national and statewide organizations. As Albert Einstein said, “Know where to find the information and how to use it — that's the secret of success.”
Parents of children from birth to 5
| Milestone Moments | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Learn the Signs. Act Early | |
| website | Toddlers, and Families Make the Most of Playtime | Zero to Three National Center for Infants |
| video | How Will I Know If My Child Is Making Progress? | 40-minute recorded webinar: PACER Center |
| How to Communicate Effectively with Early Childhood Professionals | PACER Center | |
| website | Understanding the Special Education Process: An Overview for Parents | PACER Center |
| website | Special Education Services for Preschoolers with Disabilities | Center for Parent Information and Resources |
| website | Help Me Grow - Trusted parenting information, resources, and activities to help your child grow, develop and learn | Help Me Grow |
| website | PACER guidebooks | PACER Center |
| website | Kindergarten Transition: A Parent's Guide to Success | National Education Association |
| Off to School: Preparing You and Your Child for the Transition to Kindergarten | PACER’s Early Childhood Connections Newsletter | |
| How to Prepare Your Child with Disabilities for Kindergarten | Tips for Parents | |
| Making the Move to Kindergarten | PACER Center | |
| website | Making Relationships a Priority | PaulaKluth.com |
| website | Ideas for Encouraging Children's Friendships through Recreation | Institute on Community Integration [ICI], Impact Newsletter |
| Tantrums, Tears, and Tempers: Behavior Is Communication | PACER Center | |
| website | Learning Disabilities: Parent Tips | LD OnLine |
| Plan Ahead for Academic Success Using the IEP Meeting Checklist | PACER Center | |
| How Will I Know If My Child Is Making Progress? | PACER Center | |
| website | Supports, Modifications, and Accommodations for Students | Center for Parent Information and Resources |
| Minnesota Manual of Accommodations, Tool 2.1 | Inclusion Needs that May Require Accommodations | |
| website | Statewide Assessment:Students with Disabilities | Minnesota Department of Education |
| website | School Accommodations and Modifications | Center for Parent Information & Resources |
| website | Young People and Benefits: Learn how to manage school, work, and benefits | Minnesota Disability Benefits 101 [DB101] |
| video | Making a Smooth Transition from High School to Adult Living: Successful Collaboration; Recorded webinar | PACER Center |
| website | Postsecondary Education Transition Resources | PACER's National Parent Center on Transition and Employment |
| website | Preparing Students with Intellectual Disabilities for College: Tips for Parents and Teachers | Think College, Impact: Feature Issue on Postsecondary Education and Students with Intellectual, Developmental and Other Disabilities |
| website | Postsecondary Enrollment Options | Minnesota Department of Education |
| College or Training Programs: How to Decide | PACER Center | |
| website | “Preparing for Employment: On the Home Front” | National Center on Secondary Education and Transition [NCSET] |
| website | Navigating the Road to Work: Family | National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability [NCWD] |
| website | Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success: Tips for Parents and Families | NCWD |
| website | Preparing for Employment | PACER's National Parent Center on Transition and Employment |
| website | Self-determination resources for transition-aged youth | PACER's National Parent Center on Transition and Employment |
| How You Can Help Your Child Learn to Be a Good Self Advocate | PACER Center | |
| Be Your Own Best Advocate | PACER Center |
TOP TEN TIPS FOR PARENTING TODDLERS
- Don’t trust toddlers to keep themselves safe. Child-proof your home.
- Leave time to switch from one activity to another.
- Give choices that are ok with you.
- Don’t force your toddlers to share.
- Allow your toddlers to use “lovies” to soothe themselves.
- Ignore any behavior you can safely ignore.
- Allow toddlers to do things they are capable of doing – as long as they are safe.
- Have routines at bed, bath, and meal times; toddlers love routines.
- Tell your toddlers two things they CAN DO every time you tell them one thing they CAN’T DO.
- Avoid things that lead to tantrums [over-tired, hungry, too much stuff going on].
practical, well-researched information for parents:
Starting Discipline
Limit Setting for Toddlers
Limit Setting vs. Discipline: What’s the Difference?
How to Handle Toddler Temper Tantrums
Consequences for Preschoolers
Time to Consider Time-outs
Teaching Children Manners
To Share or Not to Share
Staying Healthy
Hooray,We are Parents. Now What Do We Do?
How to Get Baby to Sleep
Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Crib: Prevention of Head Flattening and Torticollis
Choosing a Physician for Your Child
A Prescription from a Pediatrician – How to Get the Most out of your Visit to the Pediatrician
A Parent’s Guide for Your Children’s Teeth
They’re Growing Up
How to Pick a Preschool Program
Toilet Learning for Toddlers
Importance of Pretend Play
Top 3 Benefits of Learning through Play
Growing through Play: The Importance of Play in your Child’s Development
words of wisdom by parents for parents:
Mommy Brain: From Good Executive Functioning to Goo
sit back, relax, and turn up your speakers:
Limit Setting for Toddlers:
| Part I: The Parent’s Part |
Part II: Toddler Behavior |
| Part III: Setting Limits |
Tackling Temper Tantrums:
| Part I: What Causes Temper Tantrums? | Part II: How to Avoid Temper Tantrums |
Consequences for Preschoolers
| How to Use Consequences with Preschoolers |
Ready, Set, Go! Toilet Learning for Toddlers
| Toilet Learning Basics | Q & A about Toilet Learning |