5 Reasons Pre-School Years
Are A Prime Time For Learning
Much of the discussion about education focuses on the K-12 years, but some early childhood education experts suggest serious learning can start even earlier and pay dividends for the child in years to come.
“Young children have the capacity at a very young age to be academically challenged, and we need to educate them strongly during those years instead of waiting until they are older,” says Alise McGregor, founder of Little Newtons (www.littlenewtons.com), an early education center with locations in Minnesota and Illinois.
“Children’s minds are like sponges when they are very young. Under age 5 is the most important time for development and our best opportunity to set up children for success. If we strongly educate children at a very young age, while their brains are so pliable, by the time they reach kindergarten, their brain capacity is much higher.”
Recent research confirms that the first five years of life are particularly important for the development of the child's brain. Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child reports that in the first few years, more than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second, building the brain’s architecture.
This growth of the brain’s network establishes a fertile foundation for learning, thus an opportunity to be better prepared for grade school and beyond, experts say. One analysis of several studies, “Impacts of Early Childhood Education on Medium- and Long-term Education,” showed that children exposed to high-quality pre-kindergarten education performed better academically in later years. Early education also led to higher graduation rates, fewer special education placements and less grade retention.
McGregor suggests five reasons parents should consider ramping up their pre-K child’s education:
“The first five years of life are the most critical,” McGregor says. “It is far easier to train a child than it is to fix a broken adult.”
About Alise McGregor
Alise McGregor is the founder of Little Newtons (www.littlenewtons.com), an exceptional child care center focusing on early childhood education with four locations in Minnesota and one in Illinois. She is the author of an upcoming book, Creating Brilliance. Also a nurse, she has a B.S. in Exercise Physiology with a cardiac rehabilitation emphasis.
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Which Romney Would Show Up in DC? (Now HE Hates the Dream Act)
Have you been wondering which Mitt would show up in the Senate? The Mitt who said 1)Trump is a 'phony and a fraud' or 2) the 'cuddle-up Romney' who showed-up when Mitt was groveling to be Sec of State? Here is what Romney said today about Trump: He has been "pretty effective" to date, citing "substantial accomplishments, you have to look and say how’s it been in the first year and frankly a lot’s been done." Read more
'Weird Utah' is kicking in again. Governor Herbert told reporters last week that the 0.05 percent blood alcohol limit won't be repealed or delayed.
Governor, Legislature, we get it--you do not drink. But why your death wish for our biggest growth industry--tourist? Wasn't driving away Outdoor Retailers and their $45 million dollars enough? One glass of wine with dinner can make a criminal out of a 125-pound woman.
It is my sense (and everyone else around state government) that men and women that work in Utah government are paid differently. A lot differently. Sen. Luz Escamilla had a bill that would have had a state university take an in-depth look at whether men and women with similar jobs and backgrounds are paid differently in more than two dozen offices in Utah’s executive branch. Guess what--the GOP men a Senate Committee shot down the bill. Imagine that! Read more
Rep LaVar Christensen was offended when I used the word 'hell' in a debate about free speech on college campuses across Utah. In a House Committee, I believe Christensen was troubled when I said LGBTQ scholars must be allowed to speak on Utah campuses. I said, speaking of all points of view, “What the hell, just let them come, let them have their speech with the broadest possible terms.” Christensen then introduced an amendment to remove language that describes college campuses as Read more
READY UTAH? In Florida, she went to the women's march. She ran. She won! The district is the 17th special election in a Republican-held seat to fall into Democratic hands since Trump was inaugurated. Democrats have portrayed the wins, in states ranging from deep-red Oklahoma and Alabama to swing-purple Wisconsin and Florida, as evidence that their voters are fired up ahead of November's midterm elections. In some cases, Democrats have dramatically overperformed their typical vote tallies. Last week, Democrats won a state House district in Missouri where Trump won by a 61 percent to 33 percent margin.
Stay Connected to Senator Jim Dabakis: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Rainier Beer Launches Annual Tabs for Trees Campaign
Company will Plant a Tree for Every 24 Red Tabs Collected; Goal is 20,000 Trees
SEATTLE – Rainier Beer is partnering with Arbor Day Foundation and local environmental stewardship groups to promote the restoration of Northwest forests, giving back to the region it calls home – and keeping our forests green for future generations.
Now through the end of March, Rainier Beer cans boast a special red tab – for every 24 tabs collected and returned to Rainier, one tree will be planted as part of its fifth annual Tabs for Trees campaign. Since 2014, Rainier has supported the planting of more than 75,000 trees throughout the Pacific Northwest. This year, the goal is to plant 20,000 trees.
“Caring for the environment and the communities in which we do business is inherent in Rainier’s culture and true to our brand,” said Rainier Brewing Company’s Brand Manager Michael Scott. “The Tabs for Trees program provides a special opportunity for us to make a positive impact on the environment and share the experience with our employees and loyal customers.”
The public is invited to participate by collecting the special red tabs and turning them in at participating bars and restaurants, or by mailing them – postmarked no later than March 31, 2018 – to the following address:
Rainier Beer Tabs for Trees
P.O. BOX 5980
Dept., 591016
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-5980
“We’re grateful for Rainier Beer’s leadership in the reforestation of our public lands,” said Arbor Day Foundation President Amy Bodfield. “With years of record wildfires, disease and drought, we’ve lost millions of trees in forests around the country, Rainier’s reforestation efforts play a big role in areas which forestry officials say regeneration will not occur without help.”
In addition to the Tabs for Trees program, Rainier partnered with Arbor Snowboards in 2018. A portion of sales from all Arbor x Rainier limited-edition collaboration snowboards is donated to Returning Roots, Arbor Snowboards’ non-profit reforestation organization. Rainier Beer and Arbor Snowboards also hosted more than 30 North America premieres of Arbor Snowboards’ first full-length film, Cosa Nostra – raising additional funds for environmental stewardship.
For more information on #TabsForTrees, visit www.RainierBeer.com/TabsForTrees, and for information about Arbor Day Foundation, go to www.arborday.org.
About Rainier
Since 1878, Rainier Brewing Company (originally Seattle Brewing and Malting Company) has been brewing authentic and flavorful beers in the Pacific Northwest; it was once the largest brewery west of the Mississippi. In 1954, the iconic “R” was raised on top of the company’s brewery in Seattle, cementing the brand as a regional powerhouse, known to this day for its great-tasting beer, innovative packaging, baseball, and quirky commercials. Rainier Beer won the prestigious 2016 World Beer Cup, where it bested 81 other entrants in the American-Style Lager category. Rainier is known for its partnership with local charities and organizations, most notably the Arbor Day Foundation and MOHAI (Museum Of History And Industry). Rainier can be found in stores, restaurants and bars throughout the West. For more information about Rainier Brewing Company, visit http://rainierbeer.com.
