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Best Practices

Meeting (and Teaching) Families in Unexpected Places Can Transform Cities

Grocery stores, bus stops, laundromats… what’s next?

Mark Swartz·June 25, 2019·5 min read

School is a great place to learn, but it’s not the only place. No matter how excellent our teachers are, no matter how enriching the curricula, school accounts for only about 20 percent of children’s waking hours. That’s why a growing number of education pioneers are building out nontraditional sites for young minds to develop their language skills and to learn about their world.

Our Child Care Facilities Are in Crisis But There Are Solutions

Business, Nonprofits, Chambers of Commerce Build Coalitions

Mark Swartz·October 8, 2020·3 min read

In the morning, as children dash into their preschools and home-based care sites, hanging coats and finding favorite toys or...

Stephanie M. Carlson & Philip David Zelazo: The Tools to Measure Executive Function

The Editors·April 26, 2019·5 min read

Executive function – the skills to focus and manage tasks – is, of course, central to childhood development. Given that, measuring executive function becomes imperative. How does that work? University of Minnesota professors Stephanie M. Carlson & Philip David Zelazo explain their research and the powerful tool they’ve created. 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

Roger Brooks = Right Leader at the Right Time for a Pioneering Approach to History Education

Mark Swartz·May 28, 2020·5 min read

Julie Leff can pinpoint the moment when she knew Roger Brooks was the right person to lead Facing History and...

Molly of Denali takes a selfie with her friends

PBS’ “Molly of Denali” a Hit with Kids and Parents

Young, Indigenous Vlogger Introduces Life in Rural Alaska

Kim Baca·September 6, 2019·5 min read

Molly Mabray is a 10-year-old of three Athabascan tribes, Gwich’in, Koyukon, Dena’ina, who lives in a small Indigneous village in rural Alaska. She’s also PBS’ newest character in the slate of children’s animated shows and the first Native American lead in history. So far “Molly of Denali” has been a hit not only among its target audience of ages 4 to 8 but with their parents and those who have grown enamored with Molly.

3 Top Takeaways from the Webinar: CSSP Invites Applications for DULCE Initiative Planning Grants

Apply by August 21

Mark Swartz·August 11, 2020·3 min read

Because we can’t take our Early Learning Nation Studio on the road during this time, stay tuned as ELN recaps...

The 12 Tips for Less Stress: Holiday Advice from the Experts

Mark Swartz and Art Hondros (Illustrator)·December 17, 2019·4 min read

Help! We are barreling toward the holiday season, and the brakes aren’t working. Know what I mean? The most wonderful...

For Young Children, a RAPID Response to the Pandemic

Mark Swartz·June 4, 2020·4 min read

The Rapid Assessment of Pandemic Impact on Development, or RAPID project, gathers essential information on unmet needs and health-promoting behaviors for...

Let’s Create An Early Learning Community

Wait, What’s an Early Learning Community?

Cailin O’Connor·June 1, 2019·4 min read

What is an Early Learning Community? It’s a place where babies are welcomed into families that have all the opportunities and support they need to nurture and promote their children’s early learning and healthy development.

Tackling the Play Deficit

Mark Swartz·February 6, 2020·4 min read

Our kids need to put the devices down and to play outdoors more. This isn’t just another parent waxing nostalgic...