This will be a busy week with tomorrow’s release of the 2009 State of Preschool – a comprehensive report on how U.S. preschools fared last year – news from the Pediatric Academic Societies’ annual meeting and other development. (Check back tomorrow for our take on the State of Preschool and links to other analysis.)
In the meantime, grab your afternoon cup of coffee or glass of water and check out the latest developments in early learning:
Fodder for Early Learning Supporters: As the debate over early learning picks up in Congress, Preschool California has published a useful summary of the benefits of quality early education.
The fact sheet is full of helpful graphics on lower incarceration and special education placement rates, brain development and cost-benefit analysis.
It should come in handy during the debate over No Child Left Behind.
Vaccine Safety: Vaccines are big steps in early learning, helping to keep children healthy and in school, yet the safety of shots emerged as a hot and sometimes misunderstood topic among parents in recent years.
A new documentary “The Vaccine War” entered the discussion last week, trying to sort out the competing and often fighting sides in this public health debate that extends far beyond early education.
I have not yet watched the PBS Frontline show, though I hope to this week. If you are like me and have little free time, start with the website, where you can watch the show online, view individual interviews and observe or engage the debate.
Bullying & Obesity: Parents of obese children say bullying is their number one health concern, and now it appears obese children have higher odds of being bullied, according to a report released today by Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Obese children had higher odds of being bullied no matter their gender, race, family socioeconomic status, school demographic profile, social skills or academic achievement.” – Pediatrics.
Further Reading: “Bullies Target Obese Kids: Being overweight is prime factor regardless of race, family income, study finds.” HealthDay, via U.S. News & World Report.