Next 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 program, some will have stayed at home with a parent or other caregiver, and others will have been cared for in a family Read More
Springtime Playtime
It looks like we can finally stop asking this question: “Is it Spring yet?” With spring-like temperatures across the state (low 50s in Anchorage, low 20s in Utqiaqvik, and 50s in Juneau), it’s time to think about getting kids outside for warmer weather activities. Did you know the new “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans” says Read More
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
According to the Child Welfare League of America, Alaska consistently has one of top 5 rates of child abuse in the United States. For every 1,000 children in Alaska, 42.2 were victims of abuse – that’s approximately 8,000 children. Often we feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem and are unsure about what we Read More
Now Seeking: Board Members Ready to Serve!
Best Beginnings is looking for a few good men – and women! This June, three of our longest-serving members will complete their third three-year terms and must leave the Best Beginnings board. Along with so many other wonderful board members over the years, they committed time, talent, and treasure to enable Best Beginnings to fulfill Read More
Celebrating World Read Aloud Day
Let’s plan to celebrate World Read Aloud Day on February 3, along with children, families, teachers, and community members in over 173 countries! Reading books together has benefits for all participants, whether it’s a parent, grandparent, or other caring adult reading with a child. When a few years ago the American Academy of Pediatrics first Read More
A Year to Remember
2020 was a lousy year in so many respects. As we reflect on the year, it’s easy to dwell on the bad and talk about all the challenges that came with the year. Instead, we choose to celebrate. 2020 wasn’t easy, but it sure did have some bright spots at Best Beginnings. 17,405 Alaska children Read More
Books, Books, Everywhere!
Recently my sister, brother, and I were tasked with clearing out our parents’ home and getting it ready to sell. There were books everywhere! As we took box after box of books to the local Goodwill, I reflected on how my parents’ interest in reading influenced my own. I don’t remember not being able to Read More
Talk is Cheap – and Priceless.
People say talk is cheap, but for babies, talk is priceless. Talking with babies has been shown to have an amazing impact on the growth of their brains and development of language, key to their future success in school and in life. And, unlike products that are advertised to parents as critical to making their Read More
Shaping Dreams Through Reading
As we honor and remember the accomplished life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, let us take to heart her statement in support of books and reading: “Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped me make my dreams come true.” We can help children shape their dreams and make them come true through sharing books with Read More
A Different Kind of School Year
Some of you will remember the “good ole days” when school started the day after the Labor Day holiday. That’s why I always envision the beginning of the year is September. It was exciting to see the wide array of school supplies for sale all over town. And new school clothes and shoes. How many Read More
