Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child website provides a wealth of information, including a series of online guides describing key scientific concepts that are the building blocks of child development. This week’s link takes you to the introduction page for the section on “serve and return,” where they describe what the term means and why it is important for early brain development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/serve-and-return/.
You may recall that a few years ago, we shared a resource featuring tips for parents to support their child’s development through “serve and return” interactions: https://earlystartneighborhood.org/5-steps-for-brain-building-serve-and-return-interactions/. You’ll find that resource here along with additional information and videos.
The ICC-Recommended Early Start Personnel Manual (ESPM) describes core knowledge and role-specific competencies needed for early intervention service provision, incorporating current research and evidence in the field of early intervention. To access the ESPM, click here.
This resource is related to the following ESPM knowledge-level competencies:
- Core Knowledge (CK):
- CK2: The role of primary social and emotional relationships as the foundation for early learning.
- CK6: The sequences of development and the interrelationships among developmental areas/factors
- Individualized Family Service Plan Development and Review (IFSP-DR):
- IFSP-DR5 (EIA): Has basic knowledge of intervention strategies used in everyday routines, relationships, activities, places and partnerships.
- Individualized Family Service Plan Development and Review (IFSP-i):
- IFSP-i3 (EIA): Is familiar with generic and specific evidence-based early intervention strategies to support all areas of development.