History teaches us that there are significant events that are pivotal in shaping our future. In 2012, we believe the seeds were planted here in Memphis that have the power to shape the coming years for our community. It is the year that our message about brain development in early childhood gathered important momentum, took on a sense of urgency, and assumed its place as one of our top priorities in this community.
Parents often ask us what matters most in the raising of their young children. Our answer: Everything. And the best child-rearing begins before the baby is even born. A lot of parents believe that their children are born hard-wired for life, but the truth is that it's the parents themselves that largely hard-wire their children.
Kindergarten Readiness Begins At Birth
July 9, 2012
It's the first day of kindergarten – is your child ready to learn? That's the question The Urban Child Institute is aiming to help parents address with the release of their new "Kindergarten Readiness Begins at Birth" handbook. In it, the organization summarizes best practices to promote optimal brain development during early childhood, and outlines ways parents can work to ensure their child develops basic mental, emotional, and social skills needed to succeed in school.
Summer is here! And aside from sun, fun, and endless reasons to consume ice cream, this means that things have slowed down enough that you finally have time sit down with a book (or two). But just one look at the parenting section on Amazon.com and you’re overwhelmed by the endless resources offered. What are the experts recommending? What will be enjoyable to read? What matters for my kids?
