Welcome to the Recommended
Resources page!

Here, you’ll find a collection of helpful links and materials designed to support and expand your learning.  Whether you’re looking for tools to reinforce what you’ve learned in each session or resources to help guide and support your children, this page offers reliable, easy-to-access information to help you along the way. 

Session Resources

Session 1: I Am My Child’s First Teacher; Our Home, My Child’s First School

Popular Saying: “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”
This session provides an introduction to the AP-OD curriculum, including its goals and objectives. It discusses the concepts of parents being their child’s first teachers and the home as their child’s first school. The session also highlights the importance of how parents take on the role of leaders in the home by communicating or conveying family values, establishing good communication, using positive discipline, setting goals, and developing and implementing a family action plan. Additionally, a Session 1 Pre-Survey will be conducted to measure the program’s local impact.

Books, Articles, & Reports

Digital Tools & Guides

Session 2: My Child’s Growth and Development

Popular Saying: “What begins well, ends well”
This session will explore how participants can use daily routines to promote healthy brain development in their children ages 0-5 through positive relationships and engaging in back-and-forth interactions. The facilitator will share available resources and services in their local community that support early childhood development.

Books, Articles, & Reports

Digital Tools & Guides

Videos & Multimedia

Apps

Session 3: The Power of Words

Popular Saying: “The more that you learn, the more places you will go”
In this session, participants will gain practical tips for turning daily routines into opportunities for reading and language development. Additionally, the session will discuss the benefits of bilingualism and provide parents with information on how to advocate for their child’s educational rights.

Books, Articles, & Reports

Digital Tools & Guides

Videos & Multimedia

Apps

  • Vroom – Free science-based tools and activities  

Session 4: Healthy Body/Healthy Mind Part 1: Nutrition and Physical Activity

Popular Saying: “Better safe than sorry”
In this session, participants will learn the importance of balanced nutrition and physical activity. They will gain insights on how to promote healthy habits in their home, create healthy recipes and find out programs available in their local community.

Books, Articles, & Reports

Digital Tools & Guides

Videos & Multimedia

App

Session 5: Healthy Body/Healthy Mind Part 2: Social-Emotional Well-Being

Popular Saying: “Each mind is a world unto itself”
In this session, participants will explore ways of taking care of their children’s social-emotional well-being, as well as their own. They will practice parenting strategies designed to help their children become self-reliant, confident, and socially adaptable. This session also introduces the parent-co-created AP-OD video titled “Small Children: Big Feelings,” which highlights the importance of social-emotional well-being. Additionally, the concept of parental self-care will be discussed.

Books, Articles, & Reports

Digital Tools & Guides

Videos & Multimedia

Session 6: My Child, Media and Technology

Popular Saying: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today”
In this session, participants will be informed and encouraged to embrace media and technology as tools to prepare their children to succeed in the digital age. Participants will learn how to identify quality media choices, serve as positive role models, and use developmentally appropriate media and technology with children ages 0-5. The session will also cover how to ensure technology supports educational goals, address parameters, and explore the challenges and fears surrounding technology.

Books, Articles, & Reports

Digital Tools & Guides

Videos & Multimedia

Apps

Session 7: Count With Me

Popular Saying: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
In this session, participants will watch videos and participate in discussions which highlight that math is everywhere. Fun play and learning activities will be shared to show participants how they can incorporate math into daily routines, making it enjoyable for their children. This session will also feature the parent-co-created AP-OD video, “Count With Me”, which emphasizes the importance of introducing math into everyday activities, and PBS SoCal Family Math videos. Additionally, participants will be introduced to the AP-OD Count With Me Lotería game. Through this, Participants will deepen their understanding of early math skills and reinforce this knowledge while playing the Lotería game.

Books, Articles, & Reports

Digital Tools & Guides

Videos & Multimedia

Apps

  • Bedtime Math – App that encourages the whole family to think about math as part of their routine

Session 8: Let’s Get Ready for School

Popular Saying: “Knowledge is power”
In this session, participants will gain practical tips for daily routines and learning activities they can use at home to support their child’s transition to school. Participants will be informed about how to assess and select local options for high quality early care, pre-k, and kindergarten while building an understanding of how to advocate for their child’s educational needs. Facilitators will encourage participants to sign the Reading Pledge Card for Parents (A Collaboration of The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading & AP-OD) to signal their commitment to their child’s learning. This session introduces the parent-co-created AP-OD video, “Transition to Kinder” on the importance of preparing children to be ready for school.

Books, Articles, & Reports

Digital Tools & Guides

Videos & Multimedia

Apps 

Session 9: Champions for Our Children’s Future

Popular Saying: “There is no worse struggle than the one never waged”
In this session, participants will deepen their worldview and view of themselves as leaders and advocates in their homes, children’s schools, and communities. Participants will understand the importance of civic engagement through knowing their rights, advocating for their community, and participating in local initiatives. This session introduces another parent-co-created AP-OD video, “Parent Power,” on the important role parents play as champions for their children, families, and community.

Books, Articles, & Reports

Digital Tools & Guides

Videos & Multimedia


Session 10: Yes, We Can! Graduation

Popular Saying: “Success knows no bounds”
This session is a special celebration that honors each participant with a certificate for their participation, recognizing their commitment to lead and advocate on behalf of children. During the celebration, participants will share the positive changes they are making in their homes, schools, and community as a result of participating in the AP-OD program. This session also includes the AP-OD Lotería game. The Lotería game was developed with feedback from parents and educators, and it connects the values, concepts, and fundamental objectives of the curriculum with the hopes and skills of families. The Session 10 Post-Survey will be conducted to measure the program’s local impact.

Videos & Multimedia