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An Apple a Day
An apple a day may keep the doctor away but so can your child care provider. Learn more!
Resources
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.
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Intergenerational Struggles
Nearly half of parents surveyed report disagreeing with a child's grandparents about discipline, betimes, manners, and a number of other choices. Sometimes these arguments escalate to the point where grandparents have limited or no chance to spend time with the children. We have some tips on how to limit these conflicts for the good of the child.
The Unspoken Wedge Between Parents and Grandparents (The Atlantic)
Family Feud: Half Of Parents Squabble With Grandparents Over Parenting Choices (Study Finds)
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Nearly half of parents surveyed report disagreeing with a child's grandparents about discipline, betimes, manners, and a number of other choices. Sometimes these arguments escalate to the point where grandparents have limited or no chance to spend time with the children. We have some tips on how to limit these conflicts for the good of the child.
Cycles of Evictions
There's never a good time to face an eviction. But if a mother is pregnant when she's evicted from her home, there can be a long lasting and devastating impact on the child.
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Study: Evictions During Pregnancy Tied to Adverse Birth Outcomes (Stat News)
Maryland Emergency Rental Assistance Program (MD Dept. of Housing and Community Development)
Guidance for Rental Tenants Affected by COVID-19 (MD Dept. of Housing and Community Development)
Sweet Relief
The latest Federal relief package includes $39 billion for child care. That is really good news! But child care advocates have been calling for investments since the Nixon administration. When will regular substantive investments finally be made?
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Handle with Care
In 2018 Governor Hogan announced the Handle with Care program. This state-wide initiative has the goal of mitigating the effects of trauma on children and increasing knowledge of the issue. This is a wonderful support for K-12 students and would be made even more effective with the inclusion of child care providers in the plan to support children from birth to age five.
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Heavy Metal Baby Food
Heavy metal is awesome. But not when it’s in your baby’s food. According to a Reuters news report, U.S. congressional investigators found “dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals” in certain baby foods. With some planning ahead you can make sure your baby’s diet avoids metal but still rocks!
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Heavy Metals in Baby Food: What You Need to Know (Consumer Reports)
High Levels of Toxic Heavy Metals Found in Some Baby Food: U.S. Report (Reuters)