The Editors, Author at Early Learning Nation

Tonja Rucker, Program Director, Early Childhood Success, National League of Cities

How U.S. Cities Are Leading the Way to Support Early Learning

The Editors·Sep 27, 2018·3 min read

How are cities and towns grappling with a host of urgent challenges? According to Tonja Rucker of the National League of Cities, mayors and city leaders are testing cutting-edge strategies and developing bold solutions that place children at the center of every decision.

Dr. Kiesha King: Making the Call to Bridge the Digital Divide

The Editors·Nov 8, 2023·5 min read

As Senior National Education Administrator for T-Mobile for Education, Dr. Kiesha King helps oversee T-Mobile’s Project 10Million, a $10.7 billion effort to bridge the digital divide by providing access to devices to “ensure internet access is not a barrier to a child's education.”

Lawrence Aber: Effects of Poverty, Violence on Child Development

The Editors·May 1, 2019·4 min read

According to NYU University Professor Lawrence Aber, poverty and violence are the two most toxic challenges for child development – areas he has researched from the U.S. to Africa and the Middle East. Regardless of location, children can experience poverty and violence in difference ways and levels. Aber explains the research, tools and tactics required to give children the best opportunities for successful development. Filmed for Early Learning Nation’s Mobile Studio at the Society for Research in Child Development’s biennial meeting in Baltimore, MD, on March 22, 2019. #SRCD19

Carol Brunson Day: The Challenging Path – Equal Access to High Quality, School-Based Experiences

The Editors·Nov 21, 2019·5 min read

From her earliest days, teaching has been part of Carol Brunson Day’s life. And since those first lessons through her time in the classroom and as NAEYC Past President, she has been a relentless, powerful activist for equity, access, and high-quality education for children.

5 Questions for the Governor: Utah’s Spencer Cox

The Editors·Nov 22, 2021·3 min read

Where do you go for the top news in Early Learning at the state level? Check out “5 Questions for...

Huong Vu: Helping Parents Become the Best Teacher

The Editors·Mar 30, 2022·4 min read

Strong communities begin with strong families. For many new parents, the challenges of parenting can be daunting. As Huong Vu, Family Engagement Specialist at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester (MA), explains, the group helps parents recognize that they “should be valued as the first teacher of the child and the expert in their own life.”

Ron Fairchild: The Power and Innovation for Early Learning Sits in Our Communities

The Editors·Mar 30, 2022·7 min read

As President & CEO of the Smarter Learning Group, Ron Fairchild works directly with communities nationwide. He works with foundations, nonprofits and school districts across the country, all to expand educational opportunities for low-income kids and families. As Fairchild describes, getting to continual strong results takes work. But the ability to get there—and the responsibility to try to improve the next generation of outcomes—exists in every community.

First-Time Survey Illuminates Audience Interests and Impact of Early Learning Nation Magazine

The Editors·Mar 28, 2024·2 min read

Earlier this month, Early Learning Nation magazine created our first-ever survey to better understand our audiences’ motivation for reading and...

Barbara A. Willer: Taking a Position on Early Childhood Education

The Editors·Nov 21, 2019·5 min read

Among the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) many roles: Bringing together a range of professions – and perspectives – to reach consensus on important issues affecting early childhood education. What are these position statements, and how do they get created? NAEYC Senior Advisor Barbara Willer explains.

Five Questions with Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton

The Editors·May 26, 2020·4 min read

There’s an African proverb that’s now universally popular, and it says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Governor Pritzker and I realize that the child care industry is part of the essential foundation that helps our children develop intellectually and emotionally. The industry allows working parents to focus on being productive on their jobs.

JD Chesloff, MA Business Roundtable: If you want to secure the workforce of the future, it makes sense to start at the beginning of “the supply chain.” That’s early learning.

How Early Learning is Good for the Bottom Line: JD Chesloff, MA Business Roundtable

The Editors·Jan 31, 2019·6 min read

Many business leaders realize: If you want to secure the workforce of the future, it makes sense to start at the beginning of “the supply chain.” And that’s early learning.

Alycia Baumgardner: Ideas on Early Childhood Learning That Will Knock You Out

The Editors·Nov 8, 2023·4 min read

Why was the Undisputed World Champion in the Super Featherweight Division at a conference on early childhood learning? Because at some point in life, we all need to step into the ring, and before any of us does, “it's important that every child knows what confidence is.”

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