“Can we be thankful all year long?” asked a little boy when his mother was trying to explain the Thanksgiving holiday. The answer, of course, is not only CAN we, but we SHOULD be. I thought gratitude was an emotion we should aspire to feel. Actually, to get the greatest benefit, we should think about Read More
Celebrating 15 Stories of Gratitude
In celebration of our 15 years, we are sharing 15 stories of gratitude from those whose lives have been touched in some way by Best Beginnings throughout the next few months. Check back frequently for new stories! We hope you enjoy this look back at just a sliver of the stories we’ve created together. Have Read More
Now Open: New Little Free Libraries in Anchorage
Forget to bring your book to a park? Looking to share one of your favorite reads? Best Beginnings, in collaboration with Anchorage Park Foundation, has finished the installation of 10 new Little Free Libraries in 10 parks throughout Anchorage. A Little Free Library is a “take a book, leave a book” free book exchange. Read More
Celebrating 15 Years
We have something big to celebrate! 15 years ago, from the Ready to Read, Ready to Learn Task Force chaired by former First Lady Nancy Murkowski, came an organization called Best Beginnings. And since then we have helped hundreds of thousands of Alaska families build a better foundation for learning! We invite you to take Read More
Anchorage Imagination Library Service Update
In August 2021, Anchorage Imagination Library made an important service announcement. Due to limited funding, Best Beginnings has made the decision to end service in the following zip codes: 99505, 99506, 99515, 99516, 99567, and 99577. Children who are currently enrolled in those areas will be receiving their last book soon, and we will not be accepting new registrations Read More
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
We’re right in the middle of Hispanic Heritage month that runs this year from September 15 to October 15. As you might know, during this month we honor and recognize the achievements and contributions Hispanic and Latinx peoples have made in the United States and around the world. Many of us have experienced Latino cultures Read More
Changing the World
“What if I was to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?” asks 7-year-old Molly Wright, one of the youngest-ever TED speakers. Better informed about early brain development than many adults much older than she, Molly both tells and shows viewers of her TED talk how positive interactions between adults and Read More
On to Kindergarten
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
