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“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

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

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

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

Editor’s Note: As of spring 2023, enrollment in Anchorage Imagination Library is open to ALL zip codes in the Municipality of Anchorage. Thanks in large part to a one-time grant from the city to support the program. Original Article: In August 2021, Anchorage Imagination Library made an important service announcement. Due to limited funding, Best Read More

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

“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

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

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

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