The Amazon Needs You
It’s hard to imagine someone less at fault for the climate crisis facing the world than a newborn baby living in the Amazon. Yet, this child is among the humans most at risk to experience the negative effects of climate change. Research out of Lancaster University in the United Kingdom explains why.
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No Second Chance for Secondhand Smoke
We know that no level of tobacco smoke exposure is safe for pregnant moms or babies. Yet experts are still learning the extent of the damage done by this toxin. It may even be is linked to changes in how a baby’s genes are regulated and could cause developmental disorders and adult diseases.
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The Debt of Child Care
Forty-five percent of Americans say they will incur credit card debt this summer to pay for child care. They are going in to debt to pay for the care they need so they can go to work to pay off the debt for the care they need to go to work. It is mind boggling.
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Universal Child Care is Universally Good
Women have long been hit the hardest because affordable child care remained out of reach for too many. Universal child care could change that and boost lifetime earnings for women by $130 billion. So when do we start?
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Still Spanking?
Spanking one's child is not only still common in our culture but also still legal in every U.S. state. It does far more harm than good so let's stop the spanking.
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Americans are still spanking their kids. A new study shows how harmful that is. (Washington Post)
Global study shows spanking does more harm than good (University of Michigan)
Alternatives to Spanking (NIU)
An Apple a Day
An apple a day may keep the doctor away but so can your child care provider. Learn more!
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The ABC's of Improved Health Outcomes with Early Childhood Development (Heckman Equation)
Research Summary: Abecedarian & Health (Heckman Equation)
Health and Learning Are Deeply Interconnected in the Body: An Action Guide for Policymakers (Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University)
2021 Legislative Wrap Up
The 2021 Legislative Session was atypical to say the least. Despite the changes and challenges there were many victories for young children!
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Put Your Money Where Your Brain Is
The New York Times reported that the monthly payments included in the Federal pandemic relief package could potentially lift millions of children out of poverty. Most surprising in the report is that the money could also greatly change children’s ability to learn.
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A Novel Effort to See How Poverty Affects Young Brains (New York Times)
Give Me a Sign Baby
Babies are amazingly fast at picking up sign language because their brains are developing so quickly. But they need your help often to that or any other language.
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Sign-language Exposure Impacts Infants as Young as 5 Months Old (Science Daily)
What's in a Name?
What if your first name determined your success in life? Thankfully it's not that simple. We do one way to ensure a better chance at success -- quality child care and early learning opportunities.