The Austin Foundation’s Post

In a recent edition of Exchange Every Day dedicated to embracing families, communities, and culture, Monica Wells, our family and community program administrator, shared her deep connection to families and communities and how it positively impacts children's success. "Strong, authentic relationships between our families, students, and educators are key. We must speak life into our students, cheer them on, teach them the skills, and provide the tools they need to be prepared for the future. We must show examples of the power, importance, and necessity of community." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gc7ur8uu

Home visiting programs across the country are reshaping the way we think about community, education, and workforce development. These programs aren’t just about helping kids learn; they’re about recognizing the power of parents as their child’s first teacher, and giving them opportunities to grow as both parents and professionals. When parents lead, communities thrive. Curious how this approach is strengthening communities and setting children up for success? Dive into the piece to learn more about the transformative impact of home visits and rethinking how we honor and support families. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/4fGp61v

"Educated kids make educated decisions." That’s why we partner with schools and our community of caring neighbors like you to help kids to succeed in school and in life.    Watch as Rene Gellerman, our President & CEO, shares with Johnny Marx the thinking behind our United for Schools initiative – to unite community resources and volunteers to help kids early on, to help them unlock brighter futures for themselves.   And, the results speak for themselves. Dive deeper here: https://lnkd.in/gXpwEqV3

In Native communities, child care is more than a service—it’s a vital connection to culture, community, and future generations. For those who lead this work, it’s a calling that goes beyond supporting children’s development; it’s about embedding our history, values, and traditions into the very fabric of early education. The stories in our latest blog showcase three dedicated leaders in Tribal early childhood development who, in their unique ways, are fostering environments where Native children, families, and communities can thrive. https://lnkd.in/gZkHxYy6

To do well in school and pave the way for a successful life, students need to have the resources necessary resources and support. 🎓 However, this reality can remain out of reach for numerous students, especially those in underserved communities. Fortunately, SDF community partners like Nativity Prep Academy are stepping in to bridge these gaps by offering ongoing support to empower students to thrive in school and become leaders in their communities. Discover how Nativity Prep Academy is making a difference and helping students succeed: https://bit.ly/4e7Ilkd

If you're someone who is talking about, planning for, trying to provide, or demanding "quality early care and education," I urge you to spend some time with Defending the Early Years' free, virtual summer institute "Advancing Quality in Defense of Early Childhood Education and Care" from June 24-26. "Quality has always been an important component in ensuring that all young children have access to early care and education. Nonetheless, defining, measuring, and guaranteeing high quality demonstrates the complexities and difficulty in making high quality for all a reality. What does quality mean to you? How do you demonstrate quality in your program or classroom? How can the systems used to measure quality be improved? What does high quality mean in relation to justice and equity for disadvantaged and marginalized children? The 2024 Sixth Annual DEY Summer Institute will address these questions and many more." Click the for more information or to register!

🌟 Happy National Children’s Day! 🌟 Today, we celebrate the magic of childhood—the giggles, the wonder, the endless “why’s,” and the unstoppable creativity that remind us of life’s truest joys. Children show us what it means to explore the world with love, curiosity, and boundless imagination. But as we celebrate their magic, let’s also ask ourselves: What kind of future do we want to create for our children? Through our Child Futures PlayHub, we’re exploring this question with intention. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, it’s vital that we nurture not only digital skills but also empathy, love, and human connection. These qualities are the essence of childhood, humanity and the foundation of a thriving future. Our mission is to ensure that children grow up in a world where technology enhances their lives without replacing the human experiences that define us—play, exploration, creativity, love and connection. By asking what makes us quintessentially human, we can guide the choices we make today to build a brighter, more compassionate tomorrow for all children. Here’s to dreaming, playing, and building brighter tomorrows—for our children and with them!

With the holidays quickly approaching, we’ve compiled some ideas on toys, play, and family learning that will come in handy when selecting gifts for the young children in your life. For guidance, check out our latest blog, "Your Guide to a Purposeful Holiday Season: A Collection of NAEYC Resources to Support Early Childhood Educators and Families." https://lnkd.in/gzMd-yPm

What a great day at the AHEAD (Association for Higher Education and Disability) Conference…ending with this panel discussion. The key question about what can be done to help students be better prepared for the transition to higher education is worth a lot more discussion and action.

If childhood is described as "life in movement" (Kohan, 2005, p. 253), and we as teachers strive to create more opportunities for children to take a leading role—recognizing them as active creators of culture—how can we better understand their perspectives, temporalities, and engagement in play fighting within the daily experiences of early childhood education? Please take a look at this article about my thesis and discover more about the children’s voices. https://lnkd.in/ePTT5tiN