At SAU 21, we welcome all children –and their families – to be part of our school community, and we especially want to include our smallest and youngest learners! We know that the foundation for lifelong learning, health and well-being are built during these critical EARLY years. 

Babies and toddlers learn best through loving, consistent relationships with their primary caregivers, and these supportive interactions literally shape the architecture of the developing brain. The active ingredient is the “serve and return” process where repeated positive experiences create more connections in the brain. Watch this short video to see what serve and return looks like in real life. Notice how the dad and the baby go back and forth mimicking each other’s responses. This kind of interaction actually helps build a baby’s brain!

Other helpful resources for families of young children are linked on this page. We are collaborating with community partners in the Seacoast to create a web of support for young children and their parents, grandparents and caregivers.  When we all work together, we can build the strongest foundation possible for babies and young children to learn, grow and thrive…and be ready for kindergarten!

Please contact Patrice Baker, Early Intervention Outreach Specialist, if you have any questions or ideas. pbaker@sau21.org (603) 926-8992 x117

Preschool Information

• Preschool at SAU 21: contact Patrice Baker at pbaker@sau21.org or (603) 926-8992 ex. 117
• Head Start for Seacoast Families: contact Kris at klang@snhs.org or (603) 474-3507

Child Development…and if you have concerns

• Ages and Stages Questionnaire: a fun, fast way to make sure your child is on track, and discover new ways to support their learning. Contact Patrice Baker, Early Intervention Outreach Specialist, to set up a time to complete the questionnaire or to discuss any concerns about your child's development. pbaker@sau21.org
• Developmental milestones and Online Checklists: “what should my child be doing at this age?” 
• How to talk to your child’s doctor about your concerns
• Early Intervention- Birth To age 3: Family Centered Early Supports & Services: for young children who have, or are at risk for, developmental delay.  Waypoint at Richie McFarland Center. Tel: 603-518-4002 
• Parent Information Center  support for families with children/youth with disabilities and/or special health care needs
• One Sky: support for children with developmental disabilities or acquired brain disorders Tel: 603-436-6111 1
• Fact sheets on specific disabilities from The Center for Parent Information and Resources
• Maneuvering the Maze : a Resource Guide for NH families with children with special health care needs/disabilities

Early Literacy and “Friendship” Skills

• Town libraries: Storytime, Babytime, play groups and other family programs
• Early Literacy: helpful tools from the The Children’s Reading Foundation
• Social Emotional Development in young children: why it matters and what to do
• Zero to Three: resources focused on the first three years of life – the foundation for lifelong learning, health and well-being.
• Vroom Tips™ help you do more with everyday moments. Add learning to mealtime, bathtime, bedtime, or anytime. There is a free app too.

 Parenting Support and Enrichment for young children

• ParentGuidance.org - Free 1-1, confidential, online Parent Coaching for SAU 21 families.
• Parentchildhelp.org - parenting blog, newsletter, and info on topics ranging from sleep to daily routines to tantrums.
• Seacoast Kids Calendar - fun family happenings around the Seacoast.
• #areuin Program - access to scholarships and reduced pricing for various after-school activities through partner organizations such as Rec. Departments, athletics, and arts programs.

Community Resources - for housing, food, etc.

• Southern New Hampshire Services- resources for child care, nutrition, education, workforce, housing, fuel to help families with economic independence.
• WIC - for fathers, mothers, grandparents, foster parents or guardians of children under five- for access to nutrition education, support and nutritious foods.
• Gather - mobile food markets, fresh food bus, and other programs- free, nutritious food - open to all.
• Housing support and homelessness - Contact Talley Westerberg, McKinney Vento Liaison .
• Annie's Angels help for New Hampshire families struggling financially through a life-threatening disease, illness or disability.
• Step Up Parents provides financial assistance to grandparents/kinship caregivers raising children of parents with substance use disorder.
• I Got Bridged focuses on bridging the gap for people in need on the Seacoast. 
• Family Connections Center is a free family supports and services for those with an incarcerated loved one.
• Child Care Aware of NH - a statewide child care resource and referral program that provides free referrals tailored to meet each family's needs.
• NH Childcare Scholarship Program - Helps eligible families pay for child care by providing direct payments to qualified early childhood and out-of-school time providers for children under the age of 13 years old (or under 18 years old if they have a disability).