Smart Start of New Hanover County

Smart Start of New Hanover County Smart Start of NHC offers services to help parents and support for early childhood education.
(1)

As part of a statewide early childhood Initiative, Smart Start of New Hanover County serves as a local leader in developing a comprehensive, collaborative approach to serve the needs of all children, birth to 5, in New Hanover County, NC.

Honoring Dolly - WWAY TV visited Smart Start of New Hanover County to chat with Rachel, our Early Literacy Specialist to...
08/26/2026

Honoring Dolly - WWAY TV visited Smart Start of New Hanover County to chat with Rachel, our Early Literacy Specialist to hear more about Dolly's tremendous impact locally in . Watch at link in comments. ⤵️

Did you know that Smart Start and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library partner to bring free books to young children's mailboxes each month until their 5th birthday? Every child in who is younger than 5 is eligible to build their own library by registering at www.newhanoverkids.org/families/early-literacy.

To learn more about supporting free books, our Lending Library, and other Smart Start's initiatives, contact us today at 910.815.3731.

Today, we remember Dolly Parton and the extraordinary legacy she leaves for children and families.Through Dolly Parton's...
08/25/2026

Today, we remember Dolly Parton and the extraordinary legacy she leaves for children and families.

Through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, her belief in the power of books became a gift to millions of children around the world.

To register for free books, visit www.newhanoverkids.org/dolly-partons-imagination-library.

Dolly understood something we see every day at Smart Start of NHC: early literacy begins long before kindergarten. A book shared between a child and a caring adult builds language, imagination, connection and a lifelong love of learning.

Her legacy lives on every time a child opens a book, every time a parent reads a story at bedtime, and every time a young mind begins to imagine what is possible.

Thank you, Dolly, for helping generations of children dream bigger. Your story, and the stories you put into children’s hands, will continue to inspire for generations to come.

Smart Start

MILESTONE MONDAYHow do children reach their developmental milestones?Children are born active learners - everything they...
08/24/2026

MILESTONE MONDAY
How do children reach their developmental milestones?
Children are born active learners - everything they do, see, touch, feel, smell, hear, taste & think influences development.
Watch https://buff.ly/CxjxoTP

Smart Start of New Hanover County supports you and your   program. Learn how at link in comments. ⤵️   provides   with p...
08/21/2026

Smart Start of New Hanover County supports you and your program. Learn how at link in comments. ⤵️

provides with personalized coaching, classroom guidance, and social-emotional support to help every child thrive. New teachers can receive one-on-one mentorship for up to six months, while administrators can access support for staff development, policies, lesson planning, and more.

Additionally, find more support from 's Healthy Social Behaviors Project (HSB) to address behavioral issues in young children at https://buff.ly/usSdcWA

care resources inc

Smart Start's free Parents as Teachers program is about meeting families where they are and building on the strengths th...
08/19/2026

Smart Start's free Parents as Teachers program is about meeting families where they are and building on the strengths they already have.

Smart Start's Parent Educators give families a trusted partner during the early years, with support focused on child development, positive parenting, family well-being and getting connected to resources.

Whether you have questions about a milestone, want new ideas for playing and learning together, or simply want someone in your corner, we’re here to help because parenting is a lot easier when you have a village.

families with young children: Connect with and learn whether Parents as Teachers is right for your family. Learn more at www.newhanoverkids.org/families/parenting-support or by calling 910.815.3731.

Parents as Teachers National Center

MILESTONE MONDAYMilestones do not develop in isolation.Growth in one area can promote growth in another. Other times, it...
08/17/2026

MILESTONE MONDAY
Milestones do not develop in isolation.
Growth in one area can promote growth in another. Other times, it can cause a temporary setback in another. Learn more from American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children at link in comments.

Have questions? Contact Smart Start of NHC today! 910.815.3731

What does Smart Start's Parents as Teachers actually look like? It’s personal. It’s practical. And it’s centered around ...
08/17/2026

What does Smart Start's Parents as Teachers actually look like? It’s personal. It’s practical. And it’s centered around your family.

As a Parents as Teachers National Center, Smart Start of New Hanover County's trained Parent Educators partner with parents and caregivers to support their child’s development at no cost.

During visits, families may:
✨ Talk about what their child is learning and doing
🧸 Try simple activities that encourage development
📖 Explore ways to build learning into everyday routines
👀 Discuss developmental milestones and screenings
🤝 Connect with community resources and support

Parents as Teachers is an evidence-based home visiting model with more than 40 years of research behind it. If you’re raising a young child in , you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more about Smart Start and our programs at www.newhanoverkids.org/families/parenting-support

Why Ages 2-7 Matter So Much for Brain DevelopmentCheck out this article that highlights how rich experiences – from play...
08/13/2026

Why Ages 2-7 Matter So Much for Brain Development

Check out this article that highlights how rich experiences – from play to the arts and relationships – fundamentally shape a young child’s development. Learn about critical periods of development and how to support learning in those periods. Link in comments ⤵️

Edutopia UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

You are your child’s first teacher.  From the very beginning, the everyday things you do - talking, playing, reading, si...
08/12/2026

You are your child’s first teacher. From the very beginning, the everyday things you do - talking, playing, reading, singing, comforting and exploring together - help build the foundation for your child’s future.

Smart Start of New Hanover County is proud to be a Parents as Teachers National Center affiliate, connecting local families with free personalized support during the important early years.

Our Parents as Teachers program can help you:
👶 Understand your child’s development
💬 Build on everyday parent-child interactions
📚 Discover activities that support learning
❤️ Strengthen your confidence as a parent
🤝 Connect with helpful community resources

You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need a place to start.

Families with young children in New Hanover County: We’d love to connect with you!

Learn more and find Smart Start resources at www.newhanoverkids.org/families/parenting-support

New Study Reveals How Infants' Brains and Bodies Respond to Music in the First Year of LifeDid you know you can check ou...
08/11/2026

New Study Reveals How Infants' Brains and Bodies Respond to Music in the First Year of Life

Did you know you can check out theme kits at 's Early Learning Resource center? https://buff.ly/WGTDRBu

Babies begin processing the structure of music very early in life, but their ability to physically coordinate their bodies to a musical beat takes much longer to develop. The findings suggest that while the infant brain can distinguish between organized songs and disorganized sounds, complex rhythmic movement emerges gradually. Read more at link in comments.

PsyPost - Psychology Research News UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

Address

725 Wellington Avenue
Wilmington, NC
28401

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19108153731

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Smart Start of New Hanover County posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Smart Start of New Hanover County:

Shortcuts

Share