March 11, 2019 New Study on Maternity Leave Unveiled Study A new study in the International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy finds a direct link between length of maternity leave and quality of mother-child interactions. The study: The Role of Length of Maternity Leave in Supporting Mother-Child Interactions and Attachment Security Among American Mothers and Their Infants suggests these results have implications for the development of family policies that support the needs of infants and mothers during the first months of life. Policy The implementation of comprehensive and universal maternity leave policy can complement child care policies. Both quality child care and maternity leave policies constitute solutions to similar needs. The results of this study support the need for parents to have the opportunity to choose to take maternity before infants enter child care. While quality child care can result in positive developmental outcomes for the infants, maternity leave can ensure that mothers have time off from work. This way, maternity leave can give mothers the opportunity to spend time with their infants, engage in positive and stress-free interactions, and learn to read a child’s cues before they negotiate the stress of balancing parenting and work. Ultimately, a combination of comprehensive maternity leave and child care policies will give each family the opportunity to have some choice in timing and combination of work, leave, and child care. Read the complete study here.
June 11, 2018 Digital Media Literacy & Technology Tools for Early Learning This two-hour, online professional development course from Trying Together will focus on how to communicate and build relationships with families using technology tools and digital media and is open July 30 – August 13, 2018. Participants will be asked to consider implications and benefits of using digital communication to bring families into the early education environment. Participants will also be encouraged to reflect on current practices and policies regarding technology in the early education classroom. The pre-requisite foundation for this course is, “Digital Media Literacy & Technology Tools for Early Learning: What Educators Need to Know.” Registration closes at Noon on Friday, July 27, is $20, and may be made below or for credit at pakeys.org.
June 7, 2018 The Impact of the Opioid Epidemic on Young Children A series of articles are highlighting the impact of the opioid epidemic on young children and families. These report on the growing number of families affected, and the work being done to combat the crisis. Additionally, parents and children share their experience living with addiction and recovery from it. “Schools that employ trauma-informed practices are giving childhood victims of the opioid epidemic a fighting chance.” (via PA Early Ed News) However, “Pennsylvania lags in developing a plan of protection for infants affected by drugs. An increasing number of adults with babies 14 days old or younger are being referred to the Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and Families due to substance abuse concerns.” (via PublicSource) In a series called “The Fix”, PublicSource is exploring personal tales of those affected in Pittsburgh. “Jolted out of a drug haze with life-changing news: I went to sleep at 15 and woke up at 23, pregnant.” – Bree Swarmer “Teachers have dads in jail?” I spent the rest of our trip explaining that yes, lots of people have parents and family members who are incarcerated and that it wasn’t something to be ashamed of. Those were the words I had always wanted (and needed) to hear as a kid.” – Tiffini Simoneaux, Early Childhood Manager, Bureau of Neighborhood Empowerment in the Office of Mayor William Peduto
