Early childhood advocates received more detailed information about the Biden administration’s plans to increase the economic stability of the struggling child care industry—and the financial stability of working parents who depend on it. The $1.9 trillion proposal...
Tag: parents
Plugged-In Parenting: How Parental Smartphone Use May Affect Kids
Mobile technology and the ability to receive work email and other communication around the clock has blurred the lines between work and home for many parents.
Early Experiences Shape Brain Architecture
Babies are born ready to learn. At birth, the brain contains about 100 billion neurons that are connected by synapses carrying electrochemical signals in response to stimuli from the world around us. During the earliest years, those synapses are firing at an astonishing rate, and they become the neural foundation upon which everything else is built.
Sixpence in Broken Bow: Where Early Learning is Hard, Soft, Squishy, Smooth, Shiny Work
It’s a beautiful, mild October afternoon in Broken Bow—a good day to get out with kids, which suits Nancy Ferguson and her colleagues nicely, although no one is quite sure how many families to expect for today’s activity.
Researchers: Sixpence Program is Delivering Positive Results
The Nebraska Legislature’s Education Committee is touring a Sixpence program in Broken Bow today to learn more about the innovative public-private partnership before holding a public hearing on its visioning process for a statewide strategic plan for education as mandated by LB1103.
Building Literacy Skills Starts Early
One of the most important things parents can do to prepare their children for school is to read to them. The number of words a child knows upon entering kindergarten is a key predictor of future success, and the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that parents read aloud to babies starting at birth to build pre-literacy skills in the earliest years. And as children grow, reading aloud and talking about pictures in age-appropriate books strengthens their emerging language skills and literacy development. And the resulting closer parent-child bond boosts a child’s social-emotional development.
Reading to Children 15 Minutes Daily Makes a Big Impact
If a parent reads to a child just 15 minutes a day starting at birth, by kindergarten, they will have shared 456.25 hours of reading together. The benefits for the child include a larger vocabulary, plus the security and confidence that result from a parent's one-on-one attention.
5 Questions with Barbara Clay: Nebraska Child Care Provider Participating in Step Up to Quality
Tell us about yourself — how did you get started with your child care business? I began U.N.I.Q.U.E. Childcare and Family Services Family Home in 1997 in the North Omaha community. The mission and vision of our child care is: Using Necessary Involvement to provide Quality Unlimited Education to children and their families. We currently serve eight children and are licensed for 10.
Hands-On Learning at the State Fair
Great hands-on learning opportunities at the Nebraska State Fair offer families a chance to celebrate the end of summer and spend some time together.
What Does ‘Being Ready for School’ Really Mean?
On the first day of kindergarten, the child who is ready to learn is not necessarily the one who can count to 20 or name all the colors in the rainbow, rather it’s the child who can pay attention, take turns, get along with others and follow directions.
TBT: Kirk Cameron, Moms, Summer Fun & Kool-Aid!
“Kids are kids . . .And moms are moms; they know what’s good for kids . . . Moms are moms; they know what’s fun for kids.”
Keep Your Family Safe This Summer!
It’s summertime and a variety of activities fill the schedules of kids and families. The warm weather brings more opportunity for fun outdoors, but also the potential for accidents. Here are a few safety rules to keep you and your loved ones safe as you enjoy the summer.