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© Lewis Hine
November 2021
Dear Friends,
Many things influence how we see the world, how we interact with others, how we speak up for causes we believe in, and how we take action for the changes we wish to see. This is especially true for how we think about kids. As part of our project with the FrameWorks Institute, we have explored our current societal and cultural mindsets about children and how the frames used by child advocates might be impacting our conversations about young people and their place on our public policy agenda.

Today, in partnership with Frameworks, we are releasing the third report from the project. How Are Children’s Issues Portrayed in the News?A Media Content Analysis explores the current and historical framing of children’s issues by the news media, and offers recommendations for how to shift the discourse to build new public perceptions about our kids.
 
As we think about how we raise the priority of children in our society, we need to consider the important role that news media plays in shaping our thoughts and behaviors. As I share in this month’s blog post, there are proven examples where the framing of stories—whether in narrative form or through photographs—have impacted our perceptions, conversations, and actions. Kids’ issues—universal preschool, mental health, returning to school, Covid-19 vaccines—are prevalent in all our daily news cycles. What can we, as advocates, as well as the broader public, do to seize this moment?
 
I am deeply grateful to all of you who have shared this research and our Newsweek and Chronicle of Philanthropy opinion pieces with your colleagues, teams, and professional connections! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on our current report. Let’s connect by email at David.Alexander@leadingforkids.org and on twitter @LeadingforKids. Thank you for your partnership as we seek to create a society that more deeply values kids.

Be well,
David
David Alexander, M.D.
President, Leading for Kids
(650) 714-6609
what we've been up to
Our three reports—Why Aren’t Kids a Policy Priority?; How Are Advocates Talking about Children’s Issues?; and How Are Children’s Issues Portrayed in the News?—provide a working foundation from which we will begin to design and test new narratives and framing strategies for how we talk about kids. Later this month, in partnership FrameWorks and a diverse group of collaborators, we will begin to develop a new narrative about children and an implementation plan to create more productive ways of talking about children and young people and the issues related to their health and well-being. I look forward to sharing more details in the coming months!

We continue to seek collaborations with individuals and groups, especially those who are working with young people and where young people are reflected in local policies, programs, laws, and budgets. If you are interested in working with us as an implementation or funding partner; please contact David.Alexander@leadingforkids.org.
in case you missed it
  
  • In October, UNICEF published its annual State of the Children 2021 report, focused on child, adolescent, and caregiver mental health. The report calls for commitment, communication, and action as part of a comprehensive approach to provide and promote good mental health for every child. The report also includes a useful online interactive comparison by country.
 
  • On October 19, a statement was issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association declaring a national emergency in child mental health. The three organizations cited the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on top of existing challenges and urged policymakers to take action swiftly to address the crisis.

  • The White House issued a proclamation on Child Health Day (October 1), with the statement that: Together, we can help all of our Nation’s children stay healthy and learn, develop, and grow up to reach their full potential. President Biden’s American Rescue Plan includes resources for kids’ education, physical and mental health, and pandemic relief for families. Now is the time to invest in kids and hold our elected officials accountable.


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parting thoughts
The national narrative around universal childcare and pre-K continues to focus on parents, their need for affordable and accessible childcare, and the broader economic implications for our country. Let’s also remember that high-quality childcare is equally impactful for the healthy and safe development of babies and children. Is Child Care a Public Responsibility? (The Daily, 10/12/21) offers insights into how families around the country view the childcare crisis. One thing is certain: the health and well-being of children are not, and cannot be, partisan issues.
thank you! let’s stay connected!
Leading for Kids is committed to improving the health and well-being of children by creating a movement to change how we talk about kids, how we can invest wisely and productively in their futures, and how our decision makers can better protect their rights and reflect their voices.