Blog

Written by: Catherine Dennis M.S., Ed.S | Early Childhood Specialist Trauma informed practice, ACES and resilience have been the focus of educators the last few years. The idea that trauma was something that happened in the early years and understanding that impact on learning in the long term. But the pause of this past year for all children has delivered another layer to this ever-evolving topic. Now, it doesn't really matter what the situation was at home, collectively, trauma was...

What if one of the answers to reducing inequality and addressing mental health concerns among young children is as simple as providing more opportunities to play? A growing body of research and several experts are making the case for play to boost the well-being of young children as the pandemic drags on—even as concerns over lost learning time and the pressure to catch kids up grow stronger. Play is so powerful, according to a recent report by the LEGO Foundation , that it can be used as a...

Some of you may have heard my “call to action” story while I was at a WA state conference on ACEs with Dr. Rob Anda in Winthrop, WA on October 3, 2007 (yes, I remember the date!). Although I had already been active in using the ACE Study locally, in a research project at our Juvenile Justice Center (JJC), it was Dr. Anda looking straight at me (or so it felt), pointing his finger at me (at least I thought he was) and saying, “Go home and make something happen!” I almost saluted, reacting to...

It’s shocking: Preschoolers are three times more likely to be expelled than children in elementary, middle and high school, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Boys are four times more likely than girls to be kicked out, and African American children are twice as likely as Latinx and White children. One organization with childcare centers and mental health providers in Kentucky and Ohio began a long journey 15 years ago, when they began hearing about...

From Child Trends, April 29, 2021 Early Childhood Health Equity (ECHE) work strengthen s early childhood systems to support healthy child development and reduce health inequities that can have a lifelong impact. T o help policymakers, advocates, communities, and familie s understand efforts to improve health equity and the well-being of children and families , t he Early Childhood Health Equity Initiative Explorer presents information about 143 cross -sector initiatives that aim to advance...

Join Melissa McPheeters of Rise to Resilience with special guest and parent, Janise Cross, for this interactive workshop! Click here to register! Schedule: During this 3-hour interactive workshop, Melissa and Janise will facilitate a presentation, time for personal reflection, and voluntary activities to solidify learning and growth among participants. Two fifteen minute breaks are provided. There is no expectation that you have your camera to participate. We encourage you to show up in...

New analysis highlights how systemic racism and the pandemic have impacted young children’s well-being . For Zero to Three’s State of Babies report , Child Trends experts compiled and examined more than 60 policies and indicators related to infant and toddler well-being. Whenever possible, researchers disaggregated the data by race and ethnicity and examined indicators both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis highlights systemic inequities that families of color faced...

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released its first in a series of reports called “Snapshots” after polling 3,000+ parents about their experiences during the pandemic. Surprisingly, while many of the findings were concerning, most people reported a deepening relationship with their children despite the stress and tension they were experiencing.

Join the movement of understanding mental health through a new lens by participating in these upcoming live discussions. Together, we can rewrite the story of mental health and well-being. Register here.

A new suite of resources developed by Child Trends and the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality aims to help policymakers, advocates, and communities understand how different initiatives employ cross-sector partnerships to improve health equity for young children and their families. An interactive map presents information about 143 initiatives and allows users to sort these initiatives by state, health and well-being focus, service sectors, funding sources, and age groups served.

By Alisha Haridasani Gupta, The New York Times, April 29, 2021 The last time America came close to creating a national child care system was in 1971. There were a total of 15 women in Congress. And a young Joe Biden, then a councilman in New Castle County, Del., was beginning to consider running for a Senate seat. But President Richard Nixon vetoed what was a largely bipartisan effort , worried that it would have “family-weakening implications.” Now, as president, Mr. Biden plans to vastly...

Early Childhood Health Equity (ECHE) work strengthen s early childhood systems to support healthy child development and reduce health inequities that can have a lifelong impact. T o help policymakers, advocates, communities, and familie s understand efforts to improve health equity and the well-being of children and families , t he Early Childhood Health Equity Initiative Explorer presents information about 143 cross -sector initiatives that aim to advance health equity for young children...