Early Years
Staff writer Christina A. Samuels and Contributing Writer Marva Hinton provided insight, news, and analysis on early-childhood education. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: early childhood.
Families & the Community
Home-Visiting Successes Explored in New Reports
Federal home-visiting programs received a $2 billion infusion earlier this year. Now advocates are taking time to show how well the program works for at-risk families.
English-Language Learners
Head of Early-Ed Research Group: Field Beset by 'Wishful Thinking About Money'
The senior co-director of the National Institute for Early Education Research says the field suffers from a coverage gap and lack of understanding about how much money it takes to run an effective program.
Early Childhood
Child-Care Subsidies Still Don't Meet Parental Needs, New Report Finds
Researchers with the National Women's Law Center say despite recent federal spending increases, child-care subsidies lag behind 2001 levels when adjusted for inflation, leaving many families in the lurch.
Families & the Community
Child-Care Challenges Cost Georgia Nearly $2 Billion Annually, Study Finds
A new study says that problems surrounding child-care hurt Georgia parents economically in many ways including in turned down promotions and having to cut back on work and school hours.
Early Childhood
New Study Identifies Critical Need for More Infant, Toddler Child Care
The Center for American Progress examines what it calls "child-care deserts" and says that communities are failing when it comes to providing adequate child care for children younger than 3.
Families & the Community
Parents Take Early Literacy Advice from Doctors to Heart, New Study Finds
Researchers found that an initiative that had pediatricians discuss the importance of parents interacting with their babies and toddlers led caregivers to talk, read, and sing more to their children.
English-Language Learners
California Hopes to Fight Preschool Expulsions with Mental Health Services
A new law provides a funding mechanism for mental health consultation services for child-care providers and preschools, which advocates say will help in dealing with challenging behaviors in the classroom.
Federal
Advocates Fear Immigrant Families Could Shun Benefits Under Proposed Trump Rule
A new proposal would not penalize immigrants seeking a green card if their U.S.-born children use public benefits, but advocates still worry that some families will steer clear of certain programs like children's health care and nutritional assistance.
Early Childhood
States Still Uneven on the Crucial Pre-K to Kindergarten Transition, Report Finds
Researchers with the Education Commission of the States note that a bumpy transition from preschool to kindergarten can cause problems down the line, but few states are taking a systematic approach to smoothing that transition.
Federal
New Preschool Development Grants Emphasize Support of Existing Programs
The new version of the federal grant program eliminates many of the requirements that were a part of the Obama-era preschool funding stream, which awarded money to 18 states.
Reading & Literacy
Georgia District Uses School Buses to Teach Students Sight Words
Learning begins on the school bus for some Georgia elementary students who are being introduced to sight words on the ride to school.
Early Childhood
Advocacy Group Recommends Testing Water at Child-Care Centers for Lead
Only seven states and New York City currently require testing water at child-care centers for lead, but researchers with the Environmental Defense Fund say children ages six and younger are most vulnerable to the ill effects of lead exposure.
Early Childhood
Practicing Kindergarten: How a Summer Program Eases Kids Into Learning
The start of kindergarten can be overwhelming for students, and for their parents. In Portland, Ore., a summer program is working to ease that transition.
Families & the Community
Study Stresses Crucial Link Between Job Training, Child Care
A new study by researchers with the Urban Institute profiles five local workforce development boards that help secure child care for clients looking for job training.