Lifestyle

Parenting
Pritzker signs new laws on birth control, AI regulations, play-based learning

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed legislation reshaping birth control access, AI regulation, and play-based learning. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump claims to have reinstated a U.S. blockade on the Strait of Hormuz that Iran says is closed, with peace talks showing no signs of movement. Both sides have already launched strikes, underscoring the volatility of the situation.

Child Development

 Pritzker signs new laws on birth control, AI regulations, play-based learning
SFA to phase out Early Childhood Lab

Stephen F. Austin State University is phasing out its Early Childhood Laboratory, marking what officials describe as the first in a series of announcements. Community members are invited to share their personal experiences with the lab as the story continues to unfold.

Child Development

Education Resources

 SFA to phase out Early Childhood Lab
Darkroom find shines light on remote-learning pioneers

A chance discovery in a darkroom has revealed important chapters of distance education history within Australia’s Indigenous communities. Back in 2010, Vivien Johnson and Samantha Disbray were involved in efforts that uncovered materials illuminating the role of Papunya in shaping remote-learning pioneers.

Education Resources

 Darkroom find shines light on remote-learning pioneers
How library taxes are set and spent

Established as a taxing district in 1967, the Calloway County Public Library stands as a testament to local citizens’ support for public resources. This piece explores how those tax funds are collected, allocated, and ultimately spent to sustain an important community institution.

Education Resources

 How library taxes are set and spent
Palmetto Publishing Releases New Children’s Picture Book Helping Young Readers Navigate Family Change

Lea’s Special Homes, newly published by Palmetto Publishing, helps children understand that love can exist in more than one home. This uplifting picture book provides guidance for families navigating the realities of parental separation.

Child Development

Parenting Tips

EducateWright Launches With $25 Million In Pledged Funding For Anti-Violence Education and Active-Inference Training

EducateWright, formed by SolutionWright and Universal Natural Intelligence (UNI), will direct a $25 million pledge toward anti-violence education and active-inference training. The new initiative underscores the power of innovative teaching methods to address social challenges head-on.

Education Resources

6 Doctor-Approved Back-to-School Tips for a Healthy School Year

A strong start to the school year often begins well before the first day of class. The American Medical Association (AMA) is championing six doctor-approved tips for families looking to prepare children for a healthier school experience.

Child Development

Parenting Tips

 6 Doctor-Approved Back-to-School Tips for a Healthy School Year
Tips to Ace Math Class This School Year

Math is often the toughest subject in a student’s load, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Learn how to banish frustration and overwhelm with confidence-boosting strategies this school year.

Education Resources

 Tips to Ace Math Class This School Year
Back-to-School Shoes: What Parents Need to Know Before They Buy

Back-to-school shopping can feel like a moving target for parents juggling growth spurts and busy schedules. The biggest hurdle is finding shoes that children will wear enthusiastically while still delivering durability, versatility and good value.

Parenting Tips

 Back-to-School Shoes: What Parents Need to Know Before They Buy
LifeWise to offer Bible study to White Oak students

White Oak Elementary is set to welcome a Christian education program known as LifeWise Academy. Parents can sign up their children for released-time religious instruction, bringing a new dimension to the school’s curriculum. The arrangement underscores the ongoing conversation around religious education in public schools.

Education Resources

The Road Not Taken: Our unsung heroes

A second grader’s bewilderment at phrases like “13 after” and “22 til” opens an affectionate tribute to teachers. By recalling this timeless classroom challenge, the story highlights the invaluable role educators play in shaping future generations.

Child Development

Education Resources

 The Road Not Taken: Our unsung heroes
Ex-etiquette: Getting along

Parenting doesn’t end when a relationship does, yet getting along with an ex can feel impossible. Tensions run high when one parent dismisses concerns while the other sees growing problems—especially for their children caught in the middle.

Child Development

Parenting Tips

 Ex-etiquette: Getting along
The Kid Whisperer: How to decide what behaviors you want from your kids

A parent who adopted the Kid Whisperer’s strategies reports a remarkable improvement in their children’s conduct. Now, they ask which behaviors should top the priority list as they encourage consistent, positive habits at home.

Child Development

Parenting Tips

 The Kid Whisperer: How to decide what behaviors you want from your kids
U of I Extension 4-H Youth participating in Public Speaking Contest

Eleven 4-H youth from four counties demonstrated remarkable public speaking prowess at Kaskaskia College. Their achievements led to State Fair selections and division honors in the U of I Extension contest.

Child Development

Education Resources

 U of I Extension 4-H Youth participating in Public Speaking Contest
Shenandoah County libraries eliminate overdue fines on youth materials

Children and teenagers in Shenandoah County can now return library materials without incurring overdue fines. This policy shift aims to remove barriers for young readers and support continued literacy development in the community.

Education Resources

 Shenandoah County libraries eliminate overdue fines on youth materials
11 kid-friendly recipes that’ll make summer break so much easier

Tired of hearing “I’m hungry” all day? These 11 recipes—featuring favorites like chicken bites, pizza, and air fryer drumsticks—will keep kids satisfied during their summer break.

Parenting Tips

GTA launches annual Back-to-School Supply Drive to support Sanctuary

As students gear up for the new school year on Guam, GTA Gives is inviting families and community members to join an annual supply drive benefiting Sanctuary. This effort aims to provide local children with the materials they need to begin classes with confidence, underscoring the power of the community’s support.

Education Resources

 GTA launches annual Back-to-School Supply Drive to support Sanctuary
How to Use Paper to Teach About AI and Cutting-Edge Tech

Paper, one of the simplest classroom tools, may open doors to understanding AI in unique ways. By relying on low-tech exercises, educators can simplify complex mechanics of artificial intelligence for students.

Education Resources

 How to Use Paper to Teach About AI and Cutting-Edge Tech
Students bring Juneteenth history to life through art at Levi Jordan Plantation

Students at Levi Jordan Plantation commemorate Juneteenth through art, reflecting on a defining moment in American history. Their work reveals the importance of education in preserving and celebrating cultural milestones, though more details remain behind a paywall.

Education Resources

 Students bring Juneteenth history to life through art at Levi Jordan Plantation
Ask a Sex Columnist: Martha Kempner

Sex educator Martha Kempner believes that giving kids “the talk” doesn’t have to be a tense or embarrassing moment. Instead, she suggests treating children as capable learners through frank conversations that foster openness and understanding.

Child Development

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Parenting Tips

 Ask a Sex Columnist: Martha Kempner
A toast to the tuba — and the value of music education

When “The Perfect Tuba” arrived on one writer’s desk, it sparked an immediate call to Robert Carpenter—Central Florida’s resident tuba expert. That chance meeting underscores how one often-overlooked instrument can become a symbol of the power of music education.

Education Resources

 A toast to the tuba — and the value of music education
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