Part of the Center’s mission is to make available to parents, regardless of circumstance or background, knowledge about the development of young children, which has been gleaned from years of related research. Imparting this information is part of virtually all Center services including those for the general public, those for substance abusers, and those designed to address foster care issues.
Our approach to teaching about parenting and young children was developed largely through the activities of our Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) established in 1974 as a joint project of CCHP and the Junior League of New York. This work was initiated and nurtured by Child Psychiatrist, Dr. Nina Lief, until her death in 2000. A three-volume curriculum, written By Dr. Lief and two colleagues, details developmental milestones and positive parenting roles during the first three years of a child’s life.
ECDC offers parent-education groups to the general public at our 1900 Second Avenue, 9th Floor site. The groups are designed for parents who have children from newborn to age three. Each group is organized according to the children’s birth dates, meets weekly, and is led by a trained parent-educator.
The groups emphasize the importance of enjoying parenthood by understanding normal development and being a confident parent. The groups help parents know what to expect from their children and how to respond to changing needs. They give parents a place to bring their questions and an opportunity to meet other parents with children of the same age.
For further information or to join a group, please call Ms. Becky Thomas, ECDC Director, at (212) 360-7803.
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