New Mexico's Free Child Care
Policy makers in New Mexico found a way to pay for a year of free child care for nearly every family who needs it. These are the kinds of bold ideas that can benefit us all.
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New Mexico to Offer a Year of Free Child Care to Most Residents (Washington Post)
New Mexico leads the nation as Governor Lujan Grisham makes childcare free for most families (Office of Gov. Lujan Grisham)
Brain Size May Vary
A new study from Harvard University provides further evidence of the immediate physiological effects on children of living in poverty. It also shows us some the potentially dangerous long-term effects. (Photo by iStock/PALMIHELP. )
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Poverty Affects Children's Brains But Study Finds Public Policy Can Reduce Impact (WBUR)
Brain Architecture (Harvard Center on the Developing Brain)
It’s Been a Very Good Year
Old Blue Eyes words still ring true: It was indeed a very good year, for young children.
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2022 Key Victories (MFN)
Billionaires for Babies
A new trend is emerging among women billionaires: they are giving to organizations that support families with very young children.
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The Family Tree
In Maryland, a child is reported abused or neglected every 10 minutes.. For that reason, Maryland Family Network recently awarded The Family Tree a near quarter of a million-dollar grant to help further their mission of strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect.
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Every child should grow up in safe and supportive environments. Together, we can end child abuse and neglect.
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April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month (The Children's Bureau)
This is the Year
There are so few things anymore that are not politicized. That’s why it was so refreshing to see Marylanders of all political stripes support Paid Family Leave. This is the year. We all need time to care.
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Masks Work
Questions remain about the soon to be released COVID vaccine for the under age five crowd. In the meantime, parents can take comfort from knowing one thing: masks work.
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Masked Delay?
We know that babies watch adults’ mouths to learn language skills. So, does that mean that all the babies learning to talk during COVID will be harmed in some way because many adults around them spent so much time wearing masks? Experts at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association say no, probably not.
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Do masks for young children impede their language development? (The Washington Post)
Vaccinations Still Work
Throughout the pandemic information has changed rapidly. That’s partially what has made it so hard for people to know what to and has even led to a vocal anti-vaccination minority. But now two years into COVID-19 many things remain known. Among them is that the COVID-19 vaccination is safe for expectant mothers.
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Pregnant mothers who get COVID-19 vaccines are also protecting their babies (Boston Children's Hospital)