Herding up the recent news so you don’t miss out on all the goods:
- Our friends at ZERO TO THREE launched their #StateOfBabies Yearbook, which provides, for the first time, a comprehensive look at national and state-by-state data on the well-being of infants and toddlers. Normally, we find these kinds of tools overwhelming–where does one even begin?!– but #StateOfBabies is presented with clarity and depth. Be sure also to glance through the #StateOfBabies hashtag on Twitter, where some gems from the launch event can be found.
Great question from the #StateofBabies audience: people are more likely to government complain about a mailbox being moved than child care needs. How do we engage families? https://t.co/KTAvaBYDsn
— Early Learning Nation (@EarlyLearnNatn) February 26, 2019
#DYK: More than half of the nation’s babies are children of color. @ZEROTOTHREE #StateofBabies pic.twitter.com/sDdS6Ec9ci
— NBCDI (@NBCDI) February 26, 2019
- In national policy news, Rep Patty Murray and Senator Bob Casey introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act. We’re eager to follow along with how the bill progresses through Congress! Learn more about the bill here, and check out this video from Center for American Progress’ Early Childhood Twitter feed:
Today, @PattyMurray reintroduced the Child Care for Working Families Act.
This would not have been possible without the tireless advocacy of parents, providers, educators, and advocates across the country. The #movement4childcare is growing! #childcare4all pic.twitter.com/RQKbu9tRGv
— CAP Early Childhood (@CAPEarlyEd) February 26, 2019
- We happened to catch Fresh Air’s interview with Dr Thomas Boyce, author of The Orchid and the Dandelion: Why Some Children Struggle and How All Can Thrive, and found so many aspects of his research fascinating. Plus, sharing his personal story with his sister’s mental illness really made the work feel whole. Definitely give it a listen.
- The Children’s Movement of Florida recruited 101 mayors across the state to sign and send a letter to Gov Rick DeSantis to (strongly) encourage him to prioritize early childhood programs and initiatives. We LOVE seeing local administrations working together on the issue, and hope other cities join. Also, The New Tropic has a great op-ed on why Florida should focus on brain building (one of our favorite topics), and not just childcare.
- Growing up near green spaces correlates to fewer mental and emotional challenges in adulthood, in new research that just came out. SO many implications for babies & kids facing inequity of resources!
- Opportunity alert: Think you know how to solve an aspect or two of the issues of early cognitive development? Solve MIT just opened up applications for their new challenge. Get in there!
Have a tip for our round-up? Drop us a line, or @ us on Twitter!
