Haylee Carlyle

Week of 3/1 Newsletter “​Children are more influenced by sermons you act than by sermons you preach.​” - David McKay Hiya! It’s certainly been a newsworthy week, but if you’re sick of the push-notifications, don’t worry - we’re here to offer a curated report of child-development-adjacent goingsons. First up, introducing your child to responsibility! Yes! It’s what we’ve all been waiting for and it’s on our blog. Then, a breakdown of how top 2020 presidential candidates are promising to help parents with childcare. And of course, some fun NYC activities available for you and your child this weekend. Our Blog You may be thinking, is it too early to teach my child how to take initiative? Nope! It’s not! Really! Children naturally crave to be leaders because it gives them control and say in their little lives. And it helps their development, too. Taking initiative exercises cognitive faculties that lead them to being thoughtful, responsible and considerate adults. Sorry, we can’t ​totally​ guarantee those qualities in their teen years, but teaching them about initiative now certainly helps! Read how on our blog. Have you heard? As you may well know, childcare expenses have been rising for years. According to ​NBC​, an average married couple spends over 10% of their income on childcare, and a single parent can spend upwards of 36% of theirs on childcare. The situation isn’t sustainable and it’s so glaring that top presidential ​candidates​ have made the issue part of their platforms. So where do they stand? Biden - While the former VP’s plan lacks specifications on childcare, in his education plan he states that he is a proponent of free pre-k for 3 and 4 year-olds for all families. He also promises to double funding for voluntary home visit programs that provide resources like development specialists and social workers ro at-risk families. Sanders - The progressive frontrunner has released a detailed policy proposal to explain how he would offer universal childcare, which offers free full-day full-week care to children under 3, nondiscriminate of children with disabilities. The policy would provide funding for childcare facility renovation, ensures childcare workers are paid a living wage, and doubles funding for the aforementioned voluntary home visit programs. These benefits would be available to anyone regardless of income. He also backs 6 months paid leave for parents and caregivers. Warren - In her childcare plan released last year, Warren stipulates that families making less than 200% under the poverty line would receive free childcare. For other incomes, the plan caps childcare costs at 7% of yearly income. She would ​direct the federal government to ​partner with existing community-based childcare centers to create a national network of care providers. She also backs 12 weeks paid leave for parents and caregivers. Bloomberg - In his childcare proposal released in December, the former New York City mayor would guarantee 12 weeks of paid leave, an unspecified increase to voluntary home visit programs and expanded funding for childcare tax credits. Bloomberg would also expand the Earned Income Tax Credit so low-income families can use it to cover childcare and he would create an innovation fund to help childcare facilities improve their infrastructures. Let’s go! Kick off Women’s History Month with the Barbie “You can be anything” experience” at the flagship Microsoft store this Saturday. The event is best for children 6-12 and provides a day of fun educational workshops with games and giveaways. Go​ here​ for more details and registration. Or stay in Brooklyn this Saturday and head to Kids Paint and Pizza day at Paint With A Purpose Art Studio. The day includes pizza, painting and fun! You do have to RSVP to check out their Facebook event​ for more info. On Sunday, learn about traditional Ukranian culture with your child by trying your hands at embroidery at he Ukranian Museum. The workshops help your child engage in intergenerational and cultural learning. Visit the ​Facebook event​ for details.