Children thrive when communities make early care and education a priority, report says

It really does take a village to raise a child. A new report released by the Minnesota Initiative Foundations (MIFs)—including West Central Initiative—shows that when communities come together around early childhood issues, it can have a tremendous impact on making sure all children thrive.

“Building Nurturing Communities of Thriving Children” was produced by Wilder Research on behalf of the MIFs to determine the success of The Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative (ECI). The ECI is made up of individuals and organizations from around the state that have formed 64 early childhood coalitions. These groups work with 165 greater Minnesota communities and have implemented more than 400 projects, programs and activities to improve the well-being of young children.

“This report shows how these diverse coalition projects are contributing in measurable ways to the healthy development and school readiness of young children, and it connects these efforts to research and evidence-based practices,” said Nancy Jost, West Central Initiative’s Early Childhood Initiative coordinator. “Often, school readiness is simply measured by whether or not a child knows the ABCs and 123s, but it’s so much more than that.”

The report highlights some of ECI’s success stories, including west central Minnesota’s Early Childhood Dental Network, which is improving oral health awareness, education and dental access throughout the region.

To learn more about the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative or to receive a copy of the report, “Building Nurturing Communities of Thriving Children,” please call West Central Initiative at (800) 735-2239; or view the report online.

Curious George meets curious kids

West Central Minnesota's Early Childhood Initiative teams are a creative bunch. These networks of community partners care for families and children from birth to six years of age by providing education and experiences that support social and emotional development.

To celebrate Week of the Young Child, April 22-28, the Moorhead Early Childhood Alliance (MECA) invited kids and their families to meet Curious George at the local mall. More than 300 came for snacks, crafts, books, storytime ... and a photo op with George, of course! Parents could also pick up materials and information on the importance of the social and emotional development of young children.

It's the Week of the Young Child (April 22-28)

On this Week of the Young Child, we want to recognize the needs of young children and thank those involved in building better futures for all children.

Some people might say that every week is the Week of the Young Child, but some very sobering facts* tell us otherwise:

• A quarter of U.S. children under 6 live in poverty.


• A quarter of children under the age of 18 aren't covered by health insurance.


• An estimated 12 million children do not have enough food to meet their basic needs.

Research shows that high-quality early childhood programs help children--especially those from families with low-incomes--develop the skills they need to succeed in school.

Here in west central Minnesota, The Early Childhood Initiative--a coalition of people and programs devoted to early childhood care, health and education--are working to make sure our youngest children get the building blocks they need to grow up happy, healthy and successful.

To these care givers and educators, we say, KUDOS. Your work is making a real difference in our region.

And to our littlest ones, we offer our hopes for hugs, laughter, and warm and nurturing caregivers and mentors for a lifetime.

Week of the Young Child is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

*Facts from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.