Community Engagement Archives - 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.

Hayat Pharmacy Builds a Healthier Milwaukee by Focusing on the Youngest Customers

The Editors·Oct 22, 2018·3 min read

How has Hayat Pharmacy established collaborations with other leading Milwaukee institutions to support Milwaukee early learning? You'll want to find out.

For many children in India, getting to early education centers is impossible while their parents work long hours at often temporary jobs. So what if early education centers traveled to kids instead? Executive Director Sumitra Mishra describes how Mobile Creches has been doing just that for nearly 50 years.

Mobile Early Learning Centers: Sumitra Mishra, Mobile Creches

The Editors·Feb 25, 2019·6 min read

For many children in India, getting to early education centers is impossible while their parents work long hours at often temporary jobs. So what if early education centers traveled to kids instead? Executive Director Sumitra Mishra describes how Mobile Creches has been doing just that for 50 years.

First Responders to a Hidden Emergency

Behind ReadyNation’s Report on the U.S. Child Care Crisis

Mark Swartz·Mar 11, 2019·4 min read

How can the United States ensure that the next generation will be prepared for the responsibilities of citizenship? Barry D....

Adverse childhood experiences are different than child trauma, and it’s critical to understand why

Jessica Dym Bartlett and Vanessa Harbin Sacks·Apr 16, 2019·4 min read

The increased public understanding that childhood adversity, including adverse childhood experiences, can cause trauma and toxic stress—and, in turn, have a lasting impact on children’s physical and mental health—presents an important opportunity to turn this awareness into action.

Inspiration and Adaptation: Helping Parramore’s Parents—and Their Children—Learn and Grow in Orlando

Mark Swartz·Apr 26, 2019·4 min read

One of the key principles of social entrepreneurship is replicability. If we are going to tackle the most difficult challenges...

Families-learn-to-use-new-materials-together.-Photo_-Front-Room-Photography

Museums Are for Kids: Busting Myths at the Milwaukee Art Museum

Emily Sullivan·May 3, 2019·5 min read

The days of shushing kids in museums are long gone. Now, museums large and small, which once earned reputations for strict enforcement of “no talking,” “no touching” and “no fun” rules for kids, actively court families and kids with free days, family memberships, activities, tours and programs, all designed to celebrate and discover art and the creative spirit.

Act Naturally: The Benefits of Wet Hands and Muddy Feet

An Interview with Richard Louv

Mark Swartz·May 22, 2019·7 min read

How do we get today’s kids active and in tune with nature? And if the current generation of young parents missed out on personal experiences with nature, who will teach their children?

Let’s Create An Early Learning Community

Wait, What’s an Early Learning Community?

Cailin O’Connor·Jun 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.

Mr. Johnson reading Dr. Seuss to his kids via video

Parenting from Prison, Preparing for Coming Home

Mark Swartz·Jun 12, 2019·4 min read

2.7 million children (1 in 28) currently have an incarcerated parent. How are programs like the Family Connections Center helping them get ready to be with their families again-- while still behind bars?

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

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

Mark Swartz·Jun 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.