Crete's Daisy Ortiz and daughter Kayla took part in Strolling Thunder, an event this summer aimed at drawing attention to legislation supporting babies, toddlers and their parents.
Strolling Thunder: Daisy and Kayla’s Summer Adventure
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Category: General
First Day of School Holds Mixed Feelings for Parents, Kids
Parents' anxiety or apprehension about something easily influences their children through a mechanism early childhood research calls “social referencing.” Here are some ideas for parents to consider as they send children off for preschool or kindergarten this month.
Nebraska law enforcement leaders say quality early learning can keep kids out of prison later
Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine and Douglas County Sheriff Timothy Dunning released a new report on the critical influence quality early learning can have on a child's trajectory, particularly if the child is at risk. A strong start prepares children for success in school and reduces the chance they will drop out and become involved in crime later.
Brain Development is Positively or Negatively Influenced by the Quality of Children’s Relationships
Science has demonstrated that children who are repeatedly exposed to adverse childhood experiences face severe developmental impacts. Instead of having children who expect to be well cared for and safe, we have children whose expectations of the world lead them to scan repeatedly for the possibility of danger, leaving their nervous system in a chronic state of alert and flooded with high levels of stress hormones.
New Research: Screen Time Linked to Delayed Speech Development
The more time children under age 2 spend playing with smart phones, tablets, electronic games and other handheld screens, the more likely they are to begin talking later, according to research presented at the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in May.
The Daddy Factor
Fathers play a unique, powerful role in their children's physical, social-emotional and cognitive development.
Online Tool Helps Early Childhood Workers Organize, Access Professional Records
The Nebraska Department of Education developed an online record system to support early childhood workers by housing their professional records in one place that follows them throughout their career, even as they change employers.
State Board of Education Awards 2017-18 Early Childhood Grants
The Nebraska State Board of Education approved 11 new and expansion Early Childhood Education Program grants to provide access to high-quality early childhood education for approximately 270 at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds during the 2017-18 school year.
Head Start Changes Program Standards to Increase Child Outcomes
Twenty-one grantees across Nebraska provide Head Start services to more than 5,783 young children ages birth to age 5 and pregnant women. Key changes are being implemented to enhance high-quality early learning opportunities aimed at helping to eliminate the education achievement gap.
April 21 is National Kindergarten Day
April 21 is National Kindergarten Day. Thank you for all you do Nebraska kindergarten teachers!
Panel Will Study Early Childhood Workforce Shortage in Nebraska
FFN Director Becky Veak is serving on a Buffett Early Childhood Institute commission to develop a comprehensive plan for expanding and strengthening Nebraska's early childhood workforce. The group includes leaders from state government, higher education, public schools, child care, health care, advocacy, philanthropy, practitioners and the business community.
Nation’s Governors Make Early Childhood a Priority
Governors made early childhood education a priority at their recent annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Early childhood was discussed during the opening session, with emphasis on how quality education in a child’s most formative years can help build economic strength and yield social benefits for our communities.