Brookings Area Child Care + Early Learning Connections

09/08/2021

FACT: 44% of South Dakota children under the age of 6 are read to less than 4 times a week.

Families are a child’s first source of learning. For most children, the vast majority of brain development happens within the first 5 years. Beginning early is important because the roots of language are developing in a baby’s brain even before he can talk. The more words your baby hears over time, the more words he learns.

Some of the additional benefits to reading to your child are bonding, increased language skills, establishing routines, emotional learning, and setting up for school success.

Resource: South Dakota KIDS COUNT

08/25/2021

FACT: 64% of South Dakota 4th graders are not proficient readers.

Reading is a foundational skill. Children birth to third grade learn to read. Beginning in fourth grade, they are reading to learn.

Children who reach fourth grade without being able to read proficiently are more likely to drop out of high school, reducing their earnings potential and chances for success.

Resource: South Dakota KIDS COUNT

08/16/2021

Stop by the Library to register for our Fall Music Makers classes.

08/11/2021

High-quality early learning has a return-on-investment range of $5-$16 per child.

Savings result from lower remedial/special education costs, improved graduation rates and job opportunities, reduced incarceration rates, and more healthy life choices.

The first 3 years of life shape all the rest and represent the most rapid period of brain development, setting the stage for all future learning and life success. When we fail to support the healthy development of young children, beginning even before birth, and to ensure the physical and mental health of their parents, we limit opportunities for children to thrive and succeed.

Learn more about Early Learner South Dakota at earlylearnersd.org

07/28/2021

85% of workers do not have through their employers. Too many families must choose between caring for a new, adopted or seriously ill baby and . Tell Congress, it’s time for the !

https://go.thinkbabies.org/ForCryingOutLoud

07/28/2021

17% of children in South Dakota do not have enough to eat.

Good nutrition is vital for brain development and learning in infancy and early childhood, and research has shown that food insecurity has a negative impact on children’s reading and mathematics performance. Children in early education and preschool programs who are hungry or are stressed about when they will next be able to eat will struggle to stay awake, focus and learn. Poor or insufficient nutrition has been shown to put children at a disadvantage in learning and school-readiness. (Resource: Center for the Study of Social Policy)

Review the data here: earlylearnersd.org/data

07/23/2021

Tomorrow is our 4th Annual Kid-Preneur Pop-Up Market!!! Are you going to join us to support the young entrepreneurs of our community?!?!

We have an exciting line up of businesses that will be selling homemade crafts, goodies, and services - something for everyone of all ages.

We partnered with the Brookings Farmers Market this year and our Kid-Preneurs will be setup on the north side of the market so you can get all your kid-preneur and farmer's market shopping done in one stop!

Hope to see you there! 9am-12pm at 300 6th Ave, Brookings SD.

07/20/2021

After a year and a half of grappling with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, students across the country are slated to return to school in-person this fall. However, for many, especially parents, the return to in-person instruction has brought with it a variety of worries, hesita...

07/20/2021

💛 A simple way to switch up questions you ask your child to receive more engaging responses 💙

SFEC South Dakota

07/14/2021

45,000 children (21%) do not have affordable housing, leaving less resources for other needs like food or gas.

Early childhood is the single-most prolific and crucial period of growth for children. For most children, the vast majority of brain development happens within the first 5 years. Children in poverty, however, frequently do not have access to the same educational and developmental resources as their counterparts from higher-income families during this vital time.

The Early Learner South Dakota Data Dashboard provides information on early learners, their families, and their learning environments in South Dakota. This data provides parents, policymakers, advocates, and community members with the information they need to turn insight into action for early learners in South Dakota.

Review the data here: earlylearnersd.org/data
Resource: South Dakota KIDS COUNT.

07/12/2021

Need some inspiration for cultivating your child's entrepreneurial spirit? Check out this article highlighting 11 Successful Kidpreneurs 12 and under! Read Full Article Here: http://ow.ly/IWvD50FiFfO (Insta: Link in Bio)

BEDC's 4th Annual Kid-Preneur Market is coming up at Brookings Crazy Days, Saturday, July 24. Have a kid in your life with a good idea, product, or service? Get them signed up for the market today at brookingsedc.com/kid-preneurs

The world has seen, again and again, what kids can achieve when they put their minds and hearts towards a cause they believe in.  This is one of the reasons we wrote our book, “Kidpreneurs: Young Entrepreneurs with Big Ideas!” We believe that every child has the right to pursue any dream they w...

07/08/2021

Check out these learning opportunities for caregivers and parents!

Please join us for our July Lunch & Learn Series: Understanding ACEs. Today is the first class and there is still time to sign up!

We're going back to the basics this month, splitting our foundational Understanding ACEs training into three parts, and ending with a screening of the film RESILIENCE. If you haven't had this training yet, now is the time. This topic is for everyone!

To get the most out of this series, it is recommended that you attend all sessions.

✨Part I: Neuroscience and Epigenetics
Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 12 - 1p MT/ 1-2p CT
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../tJwvdeCprDIsH9eugQe2DUc3gR1BD...

✨Part II: The ACE Study
Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 12 - 1p MT/ 1-2p CT
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../tJAkfu...

✨Part III: Building Resilience
Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 12 - 1p MT/ 1-2p CT
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../tJYvc...

✨Film Screening - Resilience: The Science of Hope
Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 12 - 1:15p MT/ 1-2:15p CT
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../tJEtce6srD8pEtfPlgtnmVGLSRpGA...

Register and Share! 👍