Regional events spotlight care and education for young children

2010 Early Childhood Summit joins educators and community stakeholders together

On April 13th, the Northland Foundation was pleased to welcome school superintendents, K-12 educators and administrators, early childhood care and education providers, school board members, and other community stakeholders to the 2010 Early Childhood Summit.

Keynote speaker Michael Gurian, a bestselling author of over 20 books, has spent two decades learning and teaching about brain science, education, and parenting. Gurian mixed cutting-edge research and humor to show how the brains of boys and girls develop differently, affecting how each gender learns. Gurian noted that research shows students of both genders perform better when teachers are mindful of the unique needs of boys and girls.

Following lunch, Ready 4 K President Todd Otis gave an update on early care and education policy. Ready 4 K is Minnesota’s lead early education advocacy organization.

Matt Grose, Superintendent of Deer River Schools, urged districts to take steps to enhance early care and education and better connect it to elementary and secondary education to prepare the next generation for success.

A panel representing early childhood care and education, home visiting program, kindergarten, mental health, school board, and administration shared perspectives on early childhood's role in the educational continuum.

The Northland Foundation ended the day by offering teams the opportunity to apply for $500 grants to help young children and their families make the important transition into kindergarten.

Summit sponsorship support was provided by Blandin Foundation, SMDC Health System, Medica Foundation, Great River Energy, and The McKnight Foundation.

 

400 child care providers attend Northland Foundation’s Appreciation & Training Event to learn and network

More than 400 people who provide care for children ages birth to five gathered in Duluth for the Northland Foundation’s third annual Child Care Providers’ Appreciation and Training Seminar, held on February 13th. Attendees represented home-based child care settings, child care centers, early childhood programs, and those who regularly provide care for the young children of a family member, friend, or neighbor.

Cindy Croft, M.A. Ed, was the first speaker on the agenda. She is the Director of the Center for Inclusive Child Care at Concordia University and author of The Six Keys: Strategies for Promoting Children’s Mental Health in Early Childhood Programs. Croft reviewed strategies to support the healthy social and emotional development of young children which is, she said, the key to learning readiness.

“We are appreciative of all the participants at both the Summit and the Providers’ event for their energy and commitment to work and speak on behalf of young children.”
~Lynn Haglin, Northland Foundation Vice President/KIDS PLUS DirectorSandy Taenzer, MA, presented Building Social Emotional Skills Through Stories. A longtime early care educator and program director, Taenzer stated that reading aloud to young children is the single most important activity for building literacy and the skills for reading success.

Along with the practical information shared by the speakers, each participant received a free tote bag and children’s books.

Sponsorship support for this training was provided by SMDC Health System, Medica Foundation, The McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota Department of Human Services.