Alaska Counts! Did you know the very first person counted in the 2020 US Census was Lizzie Chimiugak, a 90-year-old Yup’ik elder in Toksook Bay on the Bering Sea? Difficulties with mail and internet services in much of rural Alaska means census workers will go door-to-door to be sure everyone is counted. More urban areas Read More
Reading Through the Holidays
The winter holidays are upon us! This year, they are all packed into a short, 10-day period: Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day. Whatever particular holidays you and your family celebrate, I encourage you to stop, take a moment, and read. With cold temperatures and snow on the ground (somewhere in Alaska!), Read More
Holiday Gifts for Children
It’s that time of year when parents, grandparents, and others start to think about what holiday gifts to give the children in their lives. We have found several sources to help you choose appropriate books and toys for young children. Best Beginnings’ Early Literacy Director Stephanie Schott especially recommends these books from Commonsense Media’s list Read More
Giving Thanks
The winter holiday season is upon us! The Thanksgiving holiday next week reminds many families and individuals to slow down their busy schedules and take some time to reflect on what they are thankful for. What a good exercise this can be for all of us, from the youngest to oldest, as we think about Read More
It’s Economics: Early Care and Learning Matters
It will be no surprise to parents of young children that a recent survey conducted across Alaska found that 57% of parents find it difficult to find child care for their children. And 60% said it was because child care just isn’t available, 38% said it is because of cost, and 30% said it is Read More
The State of Best Beginnings
During the past few months Alaskans were loud and clear in their messages to legislators and the governor about ensuring state support for early learning – for Head Start, PreK, Parents as Teachers, and Best Beginnings. And, in the end, those messages were heard, and the governor signed an operating budget that included that support: Read More
A New Chapter
This month, close to 10,000 Alaska children are starting a new chapter in their young lives: kindergarten. They will be a mixed bunch. Some will have attended Head Start or other classroom-based preschool, some will have stayed at home with a parent or other caregiver, and others will have been cared for in a family Read More
We’re Not Done Yet!
“It’s not done yet!” That’s the message we are hearing from legislators. Why? Because Governor Dunleavy’s vetoes cut some $444 million from Alaska’s FY 2020 operating budget, including early learning — Best Beginnings, $320,000; Parents as Teachers home visiting programs, $474,700; and Head Start, $6.8 million, match for $46 million in federal funding. Legislators were Read More
45th? We Must Do Better!
Did you see this recent headline in the Anchorage Daily News? “Alaska ranks 45thin the nation for children’s well-being, report says.” 45th in the nation? We must do better! As Alaskans, we like to think of ourselves as exemplifying that “pioneer spirit” of independence and at the same time recognizing that our climate and geography compel Read More
More Books for More Alaska Children
Over the past month Best Beginnings has sent over 1,200 books to the homes of 100 children living in areas of Alaska where there is currently no Imagination Library program. While Alaska has one of the highest rates of enrollment in Imagination Library nationwide, we know that there are still over 7,300 Alaska children living in communities Read More
