Maternal Growth Mindsets
When a mother has extreme levels of stress it can have negative effects on her own health as well as on of her child. But experts say that a maternal growth mindset could mitigate the negative effects of that stress and even promote healthy brain development in infants.
Resources
Turns Out Smarter Kids Are Made, Not Born (The Harvard Gazette)
Turn it Off or Put it Down
The ease of distractions are more readily accessible that ever before. So, turn it off or put it down. Your child needs you.
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Black Children's Lives Matter
“Black children’s lives matter. Unfortunately, Black children in the United States face a dual reality: growing up in the ‘land of opportunity’ while also experiencing the reality of racism and inequities that impact their daily lives.” It’s past time to challenge and dismantle policies and prejudices that are holding back our children and our state.
Resources
Black Child National Agenda: America Must Deliver on its Promise (Equity Research Action Coalition)
Laughing in the Face of Holiday Stress
A little planning goes a long way to reduce the stress that comes with the holidays.
Resources
How to Take the Stress Out of the Holidays (Child Mind Institute)
Are Americans Ready to Go Back Home for the Holidays? (Very Well Mind)
Prehistoric Kids
What if we knew more about prehistoric mothers and children? How would it have shaped who we are now? What will future generations know about today’s youngest children? What do we want them to know?
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Prehistoric Mums May Have Cared for Kids Better Than We Thought (Science Daily)
Baby Jokes
There’s nothing better than the laughter of a baby. It turns out that babies can actually get jokes much earlier than we previously thought. They can also make jokes too!
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What Are You Thankful For?
The world can seem pretty bleak at times but when it comes to progress on behalf of young children, we have a lot to be thankful for.
Better Policies for Better Men
If we want better men, we need better policies. That means opportunities like Paid Family Leave to allow fathers to be present with their families when it matters most — during the first five years.
Resources
What Paternity Leave Does for a Father’s Brain (New York Times)
Parenting is Hard
Being a parent is hard. Yet most new parents are reluctant to ask for help for fear of being labelled a “bad parent” or that they will be judged for not being able to cope with the stress. Let’s normalize asking for help and let’s put supports in place for parents who need it.
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Environment Matters
New research from the University of British Columbia says living near lots of green space can help young children meet their developmental milestones on target.