With A Little Vocab Help From A Friend
Toddlers’ brains are like sponges, soaking up the vocabulary and mannerisms of those around them. Researchers at Ohio State University and Purdue University studied children’s learning habits and concluded that children learn new words best from their peers. Listen now to learn more about the implications of these findings.
Resources
Keeping Your Little Daredevil Safe
Little ones are full of energy, excitement, and inquisitiveness. Directing that energy into productive play and safe activities can be challenging. Here are three tips to keep in mind to help you do just that. Listen here to learn more.
Resources
Keep Your Daredevil Toddler Safe (Lifehacker)
Perry Parents Prevail
Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman says that the benefits of attending a high-quality early childhood program are so great that they positively impact at least two generations. Heckman’s research looked at a program that started five decades ago for children who attended the Perry Preschool. Now the children of those children are reaping the benefits thanks to their parents' participation. Listen now to learn more.
Resources
Perry Preschooler: Intergenerational Effects Toolkit (Heckman Equation)
Infant Mortality, Racism, And Sexism
Racism and sexism are killing us. According to the Centers for Disease Control, black women in America die at three to four times the rate of white women during childbirth. Black babies die at twice the rate of white babies. The chronic stress black women experience from combined racism and sexism may be the reason for higher rates of pre-term birth, low-birthweight, and infant and maternal mortality among black mothers and babies. Listen here to find out why.
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Breastfeeding Discrimination: Two-Generational Harm
Workplace breastfeeding discrimination lawsuits are up 800% over the past decade. Without having access to appropriate accommodations for breastfeeding, mothers are at risk of developing painful infections and may become unable to produce enough milk to sustain a baby’s nutritional needs. Maryland does not currently have specific lactation laws in place so knowing how to accommodate nursing moms is necessary to keep them on the job. Listen now to learn more.
Resources
How companies can support breastfeeding employees (Harvard Business Review)
Breastfeeding state laws (NCSL)
Exposed: Discrimination against breastfeeding workers (Pregnant At Work)
Caregivers in the workplace (Work Life Law)
Breastfeeding state laws (NCSL)
Exposed: Discrimination against breastfeeding workers (Pregnant At Work)
Caregivers in the workplace (Work Life Law)
Child Abuse Prevention: Know The Symptoms
One in seven is pretty good odds. The Centers for Disease Control, however, report that one in seven American children has experienced abuse or neglect in some form over the past year. Whether you’re a parent, relative, friend, teacher, or neighbor, recognizing the signs of abuse and neglect can help improve a child’s chance for survival.
Resources
Be part of the solution to end child abuse and neglect (The Sentinel Echo)
Advocacy center launching child abuse awareness campaign (Kent County News)
Advocacy center launching child abuse awareness campaign (Kent County News)
Books Win Out
A study at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital examined the effects of reading with toddlers using physical books versus reading with technology. The results show that it may be time to unplug and visit a library near you. Listen now to find out more benefits of good old-fashioned books over screens and tablets.
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No Child Care, No Workforce
Half of all U.S. families has reported difficulty finding child care. According to the Council for a Strong America, the U.S. national economy loses roughly $57 billion each year as a result of child care issues. Businesses depend on employees, and employees depend on child care. It’s in everyone’s best interest to make child care a better business. Listen here to learn more.
Resources
The Child Care Crisis is Keeping Women Out of the Workforce (Center for American Progress)
Vision Screenings & Early Awareness
Look at this: According to the American Optometric Association, infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam at six months of age, an additional exam at age three, and another before entering first grade. Can you see why this is so important? Listen here to find out more.
Resources
Eye exams for children: Why they're important (All About Vision)
InfantSee (InfantSee)
Child's Vision (American Optometric Association)
InfantSee (InfantSee)
Child's Vision (American Optometric Association)
Benefits Of Breastfeeding
It’s well known that breastfeeding provides significant health benefits for newborns. Perhaps less well known is the fact that breastfeeding can offset the possible negative prenatal consequences of intimate partner violence. Listen here to learn how breastfeeding promotes a child’s physical and mental health.