Kindred Squared’s Post

Principals report developmental challenges for younger students post-pandemic. Educators remain particularly concerned about the academic, socioemotional and behavioral performance of “pandemic babies,” or the cohort of children that should have received early childhood schooling during shutdowns — but likely missed out on the opportunity. The first group of pandemic babies, those who just completed 4th grade, were tested on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress this past year. Those results are expected to be released in winter 2025, according to the NCES website. How do you think pandemic babies are faring in schools? #edchat #pandemicbabies #naep

ICYMI: The lack of quality early childhood education carries short- and long-term adverse health and economic effects for children, families, and caregivers across the U.S. A new brief from the Baker Institute Center for Health and Biosciences offers policy recommendations toward increasing the Child Tax Credit and federal support to improve the access and quality of child care options as well as the future of families in the U.S. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ZbczxP

Per Bloomberg News today, child care is a $33,000-a-year family expense. That's more than college tuition in many cases. We need real policy solutions at the federal and state level because it’s more than just child “care,” it’s an investment in education. The science is clear—90% of brain development occurs before Kindergarten. When our policies focus on investing in early childhood education and care, we are helping families, teachers, school systems, and businesses because we are improving literacy, supporting educators, expanding educational opportunities, and growing our workforce.

Early childhood education (ECE) has long been recognized as a critical investment in a child’s future. Research has shown that high-quality ECE can have a significant impact on a child’s development and success later in life, from academic achievement to social-emotional skills. However, the benefits of ECE extend far beyond the individual child. By investing in early childhood education, society as a whole can reap long-term benefits, including increased productivity and economic growth, reduced crime rates, and improved public health outcomes. Through small steps, we can achieve big results in shaping a better future for our children and society as a whole. #earlychildhoodeducation #earlyyears #earlyyearseducation #education #importanceofplay #childrendevelopment #child

Encouraging progress in the early childhood education sector as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced its new ruling — increasing wages, benefits, and mental health support for early childhood educators working in Head Start-funded programs. This ruling not only gives overdue acknowledgment and appreciation to the crucial role educators play but also aims to improve the quality of services for children and families. This is just a step in the right direction. Let’s leverage this development to fully fund a more robust child care system that gives all families access to the child care options they want — options that include quality early childhood education programs with well-compensated, supported, and competent early childhood educators.

Morning Offering. April 2, 2024. Nurturing the Future: Looking Back to Look Forward. I didn't share this yesterday, given the chuckles that a post on April fool's day would likely provoke!! See the report at the URL below: Ready by Five & Fine by Nine 2006-2023: A Technical Review. The bottom line: Child outcomes in a state that prides itself as a progressive bastion for early child development are not so good... Janice https://lnkd.in/eWgTa4rn

I believe in the transformative power of early childhood education, and see it in action every day at Pre-K 4 SA. The recent article series from the Center for American Progress highlights the interconnectedness of early development stages and the importance of holistic policy approaches. Let's advocate for policies that prioritize early childhood education, recognizing its transformative power in shaping our children's lives. #PreK4SA #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #Education 

NCDHHS Expands Career Pathways for Early Childhood Teachers! The first five years of life are crucial for brain development, setting the stage for future health and learning. When children’s development is fully supported, they are more likely to achieve developmental milestones and succeed in school. Early childhood teachers are the heroes who make this happen! They partner with families, forming close relationships and using strengths-based approaches to help children reach their goals. Investing in early care and education benefits the entire community, laying the foundation for a healthier, more resilient society. Read more in the updated North Carolina Early Childhood Action Plan (ECAP):https://lnkd.in/e6znzd7 #EarlyChildhood #Education #CommunityImpact #NCDHHS #ECAP2024

Literacy is a cornerstone of child development, helping to build essential skills like language, communication, and critical thinking. 📚 By fostering a love for reading and writing early on, we set the foundation for lifelong learning and success. At Synaptic Pediatric Therapies, we encourage literacy as a key component of our approach, knowing it supports cognitive growth, social skills, and academic achievement. 🌟 #earlyliteracy #preliteracy #literacy #childdevelopment #speechtherapy

Did you know that California is home to approximately 300,000 undergraduate student parents? Yet despite high GPAs, student parents face significant barriers, such as childcare expenses, making them less likely to complete a degree or certificate than their classmates without children. @Michelson 20MM Foundation and The California Alliance for Student Parent Success, led by: @California Competes and @The Education Trust–West, proudly co-sponsor #AB2458 with @Assemblymember Marc Berman to allow student parents to better afford, enroll in, and successfully complete their degree. Learn more about The Alliance’s policy agenda here: https://lnkd.in/gV5jfukS