Minnesota Early Learning Foundation on NPR

October 26, 2007
All Things Considered on National Public Radio aired a story featuring Ready 4 K board members Art Rolnick and Chad Dunkley discussing early childhood scholarships being piloted by the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF). Ready 4 K was instrumental in creating the MELF in 2005.

From the report:
"Child development experts say high quality child care can help children avoid problems later in life — from low achievement in school to arrest records. The problem is that the children who need this care the most can't get to it..."

click here to read the full story and listen to the audio

Six Minnesota Communities Thrive

The Minnesota Thrive Initiative is piloting six sites in greater Minnesota to support the healthy social and emotional well-being of children birth to five. These six sites, one located in regions served by each of six Minnesota Initiative Foundations, have developed local teams working to develop networks of services in their communities and to raise awareness about healthy social and emotional development in children birth to five and especially children birth to three.

The Minnesota Thrive Initiative is possible through support from the Bush Foundation, The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundations, Medica Foundation, The Sheltering Arms Foundation, and the six regional Minnesota Initiative Foundations.

For more information visit any of the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations.

Born Learning Campaign reaches out to parents

The United Way of America continues to promote it's Born Learning campaign. This campaign is focused on helping parents, caregivers and communities to develop positive early learning opportunities for young children. Visit www.bornlearning.org for more information and resources.

MN researchers show investment is real

The StarTribune again published an editorial highlighting early childhood issues. This week the editorial featured the research that Minnesota researchers Arthur Reynolds and Judy Temple have done in conjunction with the Chicago Child Parent Centers. There are critics who argue that investments in early education do not last. Indeed, the research proves, the investments do last and are profound.

The investment aspect of providing quality early childhood experiences to our youngest Minnesotans is an important one. We know that when children experience quality early learning in their first five years it not only benefits the individual child and their family, but it benefits all of us.

Age 3 to Grade 3 model gets attention

The StarTribune published an editorial this week highlighting Age 3 to Grade 3 as an early childhood education model. Age 3 to Grade 3 (sometimes called PreK-3) is comprised of at least three parts: high quality early care and education, all day kindergarten, and curriculum and standards alignment through third grade with parent involvement throughout. Ideally, this would take place in one location and the staff would have consistent contact with the children for all 6 years.

Research shows that the PreK-3 approach can close the student achievement gap, reduce the need for special education services and increase the likelihood of a future educated and competitive workforce. An article by Bill Graves, PK-3: What is it and How Do We Know it Works? gives more detail about the PreK-3 approach.

Ready 4 K has been promoting PreK-3 as an innovation in early education and for closing the achievement gap. In the 2007 legislative session Ready 4 K proposed piloting PreK-3 models as part of a larger package for improving linkages between early childhood and K-12 education. See a summary of the proposed bill. Funding for these pilots was eliminated in last minute budget negotiations at the end of legislative session. Ready 4 K will again raise PreK-3 as a positive step toward our goal of ensuring kids in Minnesota are ready for kindergarten and ready for life.

Barefoot is best

An article in today's Star Tribune discussses the growing popularity of stylish shoes for baby and toddlers. But what's best for growing piggies? No shoes whenever possible and ones with flexible soles. The article also outlines what to look for when buying for baby.

And, if you want to see where other Twin Cities parents go for shoes check out the Cribsheet blog for a list of favorites.

Creating a baby genius

I'm not a parent yet, but have scanned my share of baby registeries to know that it usually contains a Baby Einstein product. Is this bad? Not at all. The boom to recognize the importance of learning from birth is an ideal we were founded upon and hold dearly. However, how much is too much when it comes to teaching our kids, and can a "product" really make a baby smarter? Adrienne Martini explores the subject of "Baby Geniuses" on Babble.com, a magazine and blog devoted to new parents.

We'd believe that it's the love and attention from parents that helps baby excel. What do you think -- do educational products make a difference in how smart kids are?

(By the way, have a fun and safe Independence Day!)