Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
Early Learning


2018 Cindy Harrington Heart & Mind Award Recipient

Since 2015 thread Alaska has honored outstanding individuals in the Early Care, and Early Learning professions. The award, in honor of Cindy Harrington, a pioneer in the field, recently announced Nellie Edmund of Alakanuk Head Start as the 2018 recipient. 

Read about the background of this award, as well as a short article about Nellie on thread Alaska's page.
Day of PLAAY 
February 22, 2018

Positive Leadership for Active Alaska Youth, or PLAAY will hold their second annual PLAAY DAY on February 2, 2018 at 10:00 am. Your class can participate with kids all across the state as  elementary aged students participate in a statewide, synchronized exercise routine in school gyms, the outdoors, or in classrooms and other common spaces!

Visit the PLAAY website to learn more about the program, or register to participate. You may also obtain information on the 2018 PLAAY Summit in Anchorage!
Valentine's Day is on the Way!

We are happy to share a few resources that you can use during your Valentine's Day arts and crafts in the classroom:
Ready to Read Resource Center

A statewide resource for families and caregivers, the Ready to Read Resource Center promotes early literacy development by loaning free reading kits to parents and care providers  as well as educating, and advocating for early literacy.

Please visit the Ready to Read Resource Center to learn more about their program! Additionally, Alaskan preschools, childcare centers, Head Start programs or similar programs are eligible to enter to win a box of picture, or board books to add to their learning center here 
Best Beginnings Impact Report 

Recently released, Best Beginnings Impact Report for 2017 gives firm numbers on how many families were able to participate in fostering early literacy skills for their young learners, which in turn continues in the work of students entering kindergarten prepared for their academic environment!

Best Beginnings Recruitment 
Best Beginnings is currently recruiting for a Communications and Develo pment  Director! See the full recruitment notice here!
 
Early Learning from Alaska and the Lower 48
  • STEAM in preschool! STEM, with some art! The Juneau Empire reports on how the curriculum is currently being incorporated into Juneau's preschools.
  • A recently opened, small business in Juneau is there for expectant, as well as new mothers. Read about Mama Says in the Juneau Empire.
  • A new childcare academy opens in Naknek. Read about their journey to open their doors on KDLG.org.
  • This four year old is learning an ages old tradition from the ground up. Read about her experience on the dog mushing trail in Anchorage Daily News.
  • The National Institutes of Health recently shared results of a study that was published by JAMA Pediatrics. Observed and documented was the 30 year progress of 989 children who attended a child/parent program as preschoolers in Chicago.  
  • DL-Online reports on a Minneapolis KIDS COUNT event attended by 30 early childhood stakeholders. Featured speakers shared multiple, early childhood related topics while delivering the same message: investing in early childhood brings about social, and economic benefits.