Learning is Everywhere

A great resource for families, complete with appropriate, fun and educational activities for children is the Learning is Everywhere calendar, which comes out of the Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).

Every month this activity guide provides suggestions for families to use at home with children from infancy through kindergarten. It also provides suggested books for young children as well as helpful hints for parents.

The Grove School Celebrates Its Grand Opening

This week, The Grove School held its grand opening celebrations in Plano, Texas and Cary, North Carolina. The Grove School prepares children ages 2 to 5 for both today and the future, providing an extensive curriculum that offers them a head start on understanding our quickly evolving world.

First Lady Michelle Obama Calls on Governors to Help Fight Childhood Obesity

Speaking at the National Governor’s Association Winter meeting this past Saturday, First Lady Michelle Obama called on the governors to “give our kids the future they deserve,” and join her in the fight against childhood obesity. Earlier this month, Mrs. Obama launched her campaign entitled Let’s Move, designed to solve the national problem of childhood obesity within a generation.

Visiting Early Childhood Education Programs Half a World Away

I just returned from a wondrous trip to Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore, where I had the opportunity to visit early childhood education programs half a world away from the United States, some that are part of our company and others that are not. What an inspiration to see the quality of care these children receive—some ex pats, some local children.

President Obama Proposes to Increase Tax Credit for Child Care

Recently, President Obama announced a series of initiatives to provide relief to overburdened middle class families, the cornerstone of which is a dramatic expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. This credit assists families with employment-related child care expenses by reducing the amount of income tax they owe.

STEM Gathers Steam with Public and Private Sector Support

I want to continue to update you on activity related to STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) issues as it gathers steam with the Obama Administration, with the support of key industry representatives, foundations and thought leaders.

Supporting the Children of Haiti

Last week, like so many people around the globe, I sat transfixed as images poured in from Haiti. The reach of destruction, the level of despair—it was all but incomprehensible, even while seeing it with my own eyes.

Ensuring At-Risk Children are Ready for School

It is difficult to start writing about anything else with the backdrop of last week’s horrific devastation in Haiti. While our life goes on and our work continues, it is sobering to realize that not that far away, a country and a people struggle to regain even the most basic necessities while facing the overwhelming loss of everything they once knew. This human tragedy does not diminish the challenges we face here in the United States. But it does provide a sobering reminder of how fortunate many of us are and the role we can play in helping others, whether in Haiti or here at home, who lack access to the privileges that we can easily take for granted.

President Obama Recognizes Importance of Science and Math In Education

Just last week, President Obama announced a $250 million funding package new and innovative public-private partnerships with companies, universities, foundations, and government agencies to reward and encourage outstanding educators in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). In addition, the President honored over 100 outstanding mathematics and science educators for excellence in teaching and mentoring.

Finding Hope in Africa

Welcome to 2010! I just returned from spending the holidays in Zimbabwe, where my husband, older son, and I spent the holidays visiting my younger son who is working there with a non-profit, International Child Resources Institute.