When parenting is at its best, children are more likely to thrive in school and life. Children gain a precious advantage when their parents praise, read, sing, and play with them. No doubt, this is a tall order in families facing job and family stress, and when adults have a difficult time reading.

Children benefit from the support of caring loving adults. Adults are best able to support and nurture children - in turn - when they have higher levels of education, when they have jobs that pay living wages and offer health insurance, and when they are able to count on stable marriages, partners, and families.

RELATED CUCP BRIEFS

This report examines undereducated parenting in our community and provides policy suggestions to help guarantee improved beginnings for vulnerable children in Shelby County.

Higher levels of parental education and income correlate with healthier patterns of early childhood brain development. In our community, early parenthood leaves many families struggling to secure access to the basic resources and protections that provide a strong foundation for children's early brain development.

This report examines teen parenting in Shelby County and provides suggestions for parents and policymakers about how to support fragile families.

This analysis examines the reported incomes of first time single mothers and their partners in 2006 to determine how many children would be lifted out of poverty if they had married parents, instead of single mothers.

This report analyzes the degree to which families are able to access resources for their children in the critical period of early brain development that occurs between birth and age 3.

This policy brief discusses the important ways that grandparents in Shelby County provide emotional support and stability, improving outcomes for young children.

This report describes the state of families in Memphis including information on their income and education.

In our community, parents in poverty are less likely to read to their children than parents in poverty nationwide. Fortunately, there are simple ways even for parents who struggle with reading to help their children become strong readers and learners.

Single, Teen and Undereducated parents often lack access to resources that will help stimulate their children?s early brain development.

LINKS

How Can Parents Enhance Children's Learning?

Five Things You Can Do To Support Your Child's Brain Development

Tips To Help Grandparents Foster Cognitive Growth In Young Children

Supporting Child Development Through Play and Relationship Building

Research Spotlights on the Amazing Development of Infants and Toddlers

Public Policy and Community Strategies That Strengthen Children and Families Through Research, Advocacy and Education