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Way to Grow

Beyond School Hours

Beyond School Hours 150 150 Way to Grow

Next week, Way to Grow’s Executive Director, Carolyn Smallwood, and Director of Early Education, Carrie Zelin Johnson, will travel to Atlanta to give a presentation on our home visiting model to attendees of the Beyond School Hours conference. Now in its 17th year, the Beyond School Hours conference is one of the nation’s largest and most inspiring education conferences. We’re excited to be returning for the second year in a row to present two breakout sessions.

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A Very Special Visitor

A Very Special Visitor 150 150 Way to Grow

This week, we had a surprise visit from Beverly Propes. Ms. Propes was a member of the team at the Greater Twin Cities United Way that was instrumental in helping launch Way to Grow 25 years ago. A licensed school nurse, she is now a wellness consultant with Minneapolis Public Schools and a member of the board of directors of the Givens Foundation for African American Literature.

So great to see you Beverly! What a way to kick off our 25th Anniversary year!

Words to Grow

Words to Grow 150 150 Way to Grow

This week, a group of our Family Educators (and a special little helper who had a free day from school due to the cold!) assembled word kits for families of third grade students.These kits are designed to help parents get their children ready for the MCA tests.

This is just one of many ways that Way to Grow brings literacy into the homes of our families. To learn more about our Elementary Education programming, please click here. Stay tuned to the Great by Eight blog for a list of our favorite books that meet state standards for reading comprehension.

Invest Now or Pay More Later: A Conversation about Early Childhood with Economist Dr. Art Rolnick

Invest Now or Pay More Later: A Conversation about Early Childhood with Economist Dr. Art Rolnick 150 150 Way to Grow

 

Way to Grow Board Member Dr. Art Rolnick, the Co-Director of the Human Capital Research Collaborative at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, recently joined Marti and Erin Erickson, co-hosts of Mom Enough, in their studio. As usual, Art spoke eloquently about the importance of investing in early learning programs. We’re so grateful to have Art’s support.

To hear the interview, click here.

On their blog and in frequent interviews, Marti and Erin explore the many facets of motherhood in today’s world – from confronting the daily joys and struggles of helping kids grow up well, to balancing work and family, to considering the big questions of how society views and values mothers and mothering. Follow along at momenough.com.

U of M Economist Publishes Study on Early Ed

U of M Economist Publishes Study on Early Ed 150 150 Way to Grow

Courtesy of University of Minnesota / MinnPost

University of Minnesota professor Aaron Sojourner recently published a study in The Journal of Human Resources centered on the role that high quality pre-k programs can have in tackling the achievement gap.

In an article published in MinnPost, Educator reporter Beth Hawkins wrote, “By age 3, children from low-income families are typically one standard deviation behind their wealthier peers on IQ tests. The 1,000 children in the study who got the very early intervention had the same cognitive abilities as middle- and upper-income kids at age 3.”

In his interview with Hawkins, Sojourner said, “Status at 18 can be well predicted by status at age 5, so we keep going back earlier,” said Sojourner. “And there is compelling experimental and quasi-experimental evidence that early life conditions have large, lasting impacts on life course.

Hawkins also referenced a study by economist (and Way to Grow board member) Art Rolnick that proposed early ed funding for all low-income 3 and 4 year olds based on the incredible return on investment such funding has shown to have on the economy.

Click here to read: New study: High-quality preschool for poor kids under 3 would eliminate achievement gap

Success Story: Marina and Abi

Success Story: Marina and Abi 150 150 Way to Grow

Marina, a single mom to 3-year-old Abi, was desperately struggling to make ends meet. Marina heard about Way to Grow from a friend, and was eager to learn how to help her son. At 3 years old, Abi was only speaking in grunts and made-up words. He would often get frustrated and throw violent tantrums when Marina could not understand him. Because of his behavior, family and friends refused to care for Abi, making Marina feel trapped.

From the first Way to Grow home visit, it was clear Abi was developmentally behind and needed additional services to succeed. Sarah, a Way to Grow family educator, had Abi screened for developmental delays and immediately enrolled him in early-childhood special education classes. Sarah also began to focus on Marina to help her develop parenting skills.

On one home visit, Sarah brought books with barnyard and zoo animals. While reading to Abi, she showed Marina how to engage him in dialogue. She encouraged Marina to ask Abi to name the different animals, talk about where they live, and what sounds the animals make. Together, they all sang “Going to the Zoo” while making a lion puppet from a paper bag. Abi was encouraged to have his puppet talk to his mom. Sarah explained to Marina how books, songs and activities help to encourage talking and increase vocabulary. After every visit, Sarah would leave a book and set goals with Marina to complete before the next visit.

In less than six months, Abi spoke in full sentences and could identify all the letters in the alphabet. He loves looking at books and singing songs. Because Abi communicates better, and has more stability in his home life, his behavioral issues have diminished significantly. He no longer throws tantrums, and family and friends are now able to watch him. This has allowed Marina to attend English classes at a nearby community center, and given her the ability to start planning for their future.

Rep. Winkler Putting Forth Early Ed Bill

Rep. Winkler Putting Forth Early Ed Bill 150 150 Way to Grow

Today, Representative Ryan Winkler will announce a bill to continue Minnesota’s investment in early childhood education, close the achievement gap, and build on the work done in 2013’s ‘Education Session.’

The bill, authored by Representative Ryan Winkler, calls for increased funding for early learning scholarships, which research has proven addresses the achievement gap, and in turn, prepares Minnesota’s children for a lifetime of success. Additionally, the bill seeks to increase the flexibility of scholarships so that every parent can choose the right program for their child.  Senator Melisa Franzen will author the bill in the Senate.

Members of the MinneMinds coalition, a statewide campaign focused on increasing Minnesota’s investment in early childhood education, will be there to support teachers, providers, parents, legislators and economists who believe increasing access to high quality early education for all Minnesotan children is the best investment our state can make.

– from a Media Alert issued by State Representative Ryan Winkler’s office.

Farewell, Lily!

Farewell, Lily! 150 150 Way to Grow

Yesterday, we bid farewell to one of our wonderful Family Educators. Lily Romero recently graduated from MCTC with her RN degree and has already accepted a position at the HCMC clinic in Richfield.

Lily, you will be missed. Richfield, you’re in good hands!

12 Days of Growing: Day 12

12 Days of Growing: Day 12 150 150 Way to Grow

Day 12 – A Team of Twelve – Whether they’re cheering us from the sidelines or fighting on the frontline for our children and families, we are indebted to the team of individuals and organizations who help make Way to Grow one of our city’s strongest advocates for early learning.

Our Team of Twelve includes Family Foundations, Individual Donors, Community Partners, Board Members, Committee Members, School Administrators, Mayor R.T. Rybak,  Governor Dayton, Family Educators, Resource Advocates, Teachers and Parents. And, of course, there are so many more.

This holiday season we give thanks to the generous community of stakeholders who have believed in and supported our work for the past 24 years.

Happy Holidays and warmest wishes for a healthy New Year from your friends at Way to Grow.

12 Days of Growing: Day 11

12 Days of Growing: Day 11 150 150 Way to Grow

Day 11 – Eleven Thousand Visits! That’s how many home visits our Family Educators and Resource Advocates conducted in 2013! Way to Grow’s home visits address all aspects of family life, health, and early education. Home visits produce positive results in developing early childhood literacy and preparing children for success in kindergarten and beyond.

To make a contribution, please click here or phone Melissa Meyer at (612) 874-4740.  To learn more about our programs, please explore our website.

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