A Community Making the Season the Most Wonderful Time of Year
The 2011 holiday season is here and – for many families – it brings higher heating bills, worries about gift expenses, and disrupted schedules. Too often, this is a recipe for added household stress,...
View ArticleStrengthen Shelby County by Investing in Early Childhood
Of the close to 15,000 children born in Shelby County each year, more than half (56%) are born to families living in poverty. This means that a family of four has an annual income below $22,350. Almost...
View ArticleMemphis: A City That Listens to its Children
The Tennessee Department of Health reports that hearing loss is one of the most prevalent issues facing newborns. Each year, nearly 3 of every 1,000 children are born with a hearing loss. This is...
View ArticleGiving the Gift of Sight
Vision development is a vital aspect of early childhood brain development.
View ArticleA Touchy Subject Vital to Young Children's Development
As mentioned in the research section, the sense of touch has a magnanimous effect on a child's development in both the short-term and the long-term. A proper development of touch improves the social,...
View ArticleMemphis: A Playground for 0-3
Summer time in Memphis means school is out, and it’s time to play! Long summer days are the best time to play together with your infants and toddlers.During the first three years of life, children...
View ArticleThe Transition Plan for Pre-Kindergarten
Recent news has concentrated on the merger of the Memphis City Schools (MCS) and Shelby County Schools (SCS) into a unified school district serving all families in the Memphis-area community. In June,...
View ArticlePoverty Can Jeopardize the Development of Literacy and Early Reading Habits
Early childhood brain development takes place across a wide range of social, emotional and cognitive dimensions. One key area of development occurs in terms of language and literacy. Language and...
View ArticleThinking About Kindergarten Readiness
It’s helpful to think about four touchstones that make for kindergarten readiness: language and literacy development, thinking skills, self-control, and self-confidence. Those TV commercials that tell...
View ArticleSmall Policies Bring Large Improvements
Baby Small reminds us that what happens in early childhood shapes an individual's later development. When children grow up knowing that they are in safe and loved, for example, they learn important...
View ArticleBuilding a Stronger Memphis: Investing in Early Childhood Wellness
The Urban Child Institute's mission is to promote the health and well-being of children from conception to age three in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee. Over years of coordination and outreach,...
View ArticleGet Informed: Nutritional Policies in Action
Feeding a toddler is no small feat, as mashed carrots on the kitchen wall remind us. But nutrition is a key part of the healthy physical, cognitive and emotional development of young children....
View ArticleSocial and Emotional Learning Curriculum in Tennessee
In the aftermath of recent school shootings, both the state and federal governments have turned their attention to policies designed to promote safety in our schools. Some of the most generative...
View ArticleA Memphis Initiative to Reduce Premature Births
Babies born prematurely are prone to a range of health problems. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 10 to 15 percent of all births in the United States are induced...
View ArticleMasterfully Planned Playtime
Summertime is a great time to rediscover the fun of Shelby Farms Park with young children. The park offers a variety of attractions that are guaranteed to capture your tikes' attention for hours. Old...
View ArticleResources and Initiatives Aiding Kindergarten Ready Families
Research tells us that early experiences matter for kindergarten readiness and school success. The most important positive early experiences, fortunately, take the form of a family's care and love....
View ArticleReady, Set, Grow! Improves Memphis Childcare Centers
Accreditation by The National Association for the Education of Young Children, or NAEYC, is widely considered to be the premier stamp of approval an early childhood care center can receive. NAEYC...
View ArticleStrong Neighborhoods Improve Early Childhood Development
High quality childcare plays an important role in the social and cognitive development of young children. However, quality childcare that builds relationships between teachers and families, and...
View ArticlePre-K Investment Is Critical for Memphis
On November 21st, Memphis City residents voted on the Pre-K initiative, a ballot measure that had the (almost unheard of) unanimous support of the Memphis City Council, as well as a stamp of approval...
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