Recently I learned this heartbreaking 2012 statistic: 47% of Alaska children with substantiated reports of harm were under the age of 6. These are our youngest and most vulnerable precious children. More than a million children in America experience child maltreatment each year – Alaska has among the highest per capita rates of child abuse Read More
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Quality early care and learning
Over the next few months, a series of gatherings for parents, early childhood professionals, and others will get under way as work resumes to establish a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) in Alaska. The long term result: clear standards, better consumer information, and incentives for providers to improve. Here’s more about this statewide effort.
“Dialogic Reading” – a give-and-take technique
How frequently you read to a child is important. But just as important is how you read. Try a twist with your reading by prompting your child with questions and encouraging discussion. “No one can learn to play the piano just by listening to someone else play. Likewise, no one can learn to read just Read More
The wonder of wordless books
Books without words encourage parents and children to use their imaginations in telling a story around the pictures. Since there’s no temptation to stick to the script, parent and child can change the story, make up words, and personalize it. Check out these hints and recommendations.
Hectic lives
“Hectic” is how many young parents I know describe their everyday lives. Yet they really want to spend time with their young children and help those brains grow. Over the years, as a parent and now a grandparent, I’ve learned a few tricks. Busy times often present wonderful opportunities for your child to explore the Read More
Imagination Library linked to school performance
Scientific studies are beginning to confirm what we have always suspected about Imagination Library: Participating children perform better on kindergarten assessments, and the earlier they’re enrolled – the longer they’ve received books – the better.
Language gap starts in infancy, study finds
The quality and quantity of verbal interactions between parent and baby show up even earlier than previously thought, according to a new Stanford study. Low-income children show achievement gaps in language development as early as 18 months. Learn more »
Why the 30 million word gap is so important
Our words count. In more ways than many of us ever realized. It’s been 18 years since Betty Hart and Todd Risley published their landmark study on the giant gap – 30 million – in words heard by young children depending on their socio-economic status. In the last six months, we’ve seen an explosion of Read More
Sane voices on a hot topic: digital media and early learning
Television is still a huge part of children’s daily lives. And now digital media poses all sorts of new questions and challenges. How to make sense of it all? A science roundtable organized by the New America Foundation offers great advice on managing digital media for young children. Answers here.
New kindergarten page
There is so much research, data, and advice specifically on the subject of kindergarten readiness that we have organized a new page for easy use. Some of the information is pertinent to parents and families, some relates more to policy and data. We hope you find it helpful.