Children thrive in a caring and positive atmosphere that respects each child as a unique and valuable individual. A family-centered approach is central to a developmentally appropriate early education. Children learn and develop through play as they touch, manipulate, and interact with objects and people, which are relevant to their young lives. Children, families, staff and students and the community are essential partners in quality early education.

• Fosters positive self-concept
• Develops social skills
• Encourages children to think, reason, question, problem-solve, and experiment
• Provides and models sound health, safety, and nutrition
• Sparks creative expression and appreciation for the arts
• Respects cultural diversity of children, families, and staff

• Offer a comprehensive array of services for children six weeks to five years of age
• Are strongly child- and family-centered
• Focus on the social and emotional development of children
• Promote the primacy of play in children's development.
• Respect each child's and family's uniqueness and diversity.
• Meet the increased need for quality care and education on campus and in the communities of Southwest New Mexico
• Support the highest quality of early care and education through community outreach, teacher education training, and advocacy

• Located on the WNMU campus
• Serves children of WNMU students (ages 6 weeks to 5 years)
• Serves children of faculty, staff and community members (ages 3-5)
• Operates on the University calendar
• Open from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM

• Operates on Silver High School calendars
• Accepts children 6 weeks to 36 months

Growing Tree helps young parents of SHS, SHOS, and WNMU stay in school by providing quality care for their infants and toddlers, ages 6 weeks to 36 months. The center also serves as a "hands on" laboratory site for WNMU students and high school students exploring early childhood careers.

Silver High Opportunity School
600 32nd St.
Silver City, NM 88061

Phone: 575-388-1289
Fax: 575-538- 6482 6405
Email: growingtree@wnmu.edu

• Located on WNMU Campus
• Registered play therapists & licensed counselors
• Specialized child & family services for enrolled children & the community
• Infant Mental Health Endorsed therapists
• Provides counseling, parenting education & training in play therapy & Infant Mental Health

Child and Parent Services:	Professional Training:
Child assessment	Developmental attachment theory
Family-centered counseling	Developmentally appropriate environmental design
Play therapy	Guidance techniques with young children
Filial Play Classes Sand Tray Therapy	Play therapy supervision Infant Mental Health Competencies
Parenting education for free or for credit each semester: Building Relationships with Children Confident Parenting
	Our highly qualified early childhood specialists include: Registered Play Therapist Supervisor Registered play therapist Licensed Mental Health Counselors Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors Level 4 Infant Mental Health-endorsed Therapists

The Early Childhood Programs cooperate with many other University Departments to provide a rich learning experience for their students. Nursing and OT students annually perform well child check-ups and assessments. Counseling interns from the Counseling Education Program serve clinical internships under the supervision of FCC therapists.

The CDC and Growing Tree offer WNMU students the opportunity to enhance their course work by observing young children interacting and learning in developmentally age-appropriate environments. In these model early care and education settings, education practicum students can be trained. ECP also offers on-the-job training to graduate and work study students. Service providers from the community utilize the lab site to bring specialized services to children enrolled in the programs.

• Provides training, technical assistance & family support to parents & childcare providers in Grant, Luna, Hidalgo, & Catron Counties
• Operates free resource & toy lending libraries in Grant County
• Promotes inclusive practices in childcare programs, providing resources & support for childcare providers & parents of children with special needs

La Familia Resource Center
Glaser Hall
12th Street @ Virginia
Silver City, NM 88061

Phone: 575-538-6841
Fax: 575-538-6482
Email: lafamilia@wnmu.edu

Last updated: September 13, 2012