When families are weakened, children suffer.  Today, at both the state and federal levels, families – increasingly, with declared will and purpose -- are under attack.  If I am to remain a defender of children and promote what is best for them at every turn, my silence in this moment will fail those I intend to serve. 

On December 14, 2017, Maryland State Department of Education, in partnership with Ready At Five, will hold the Winter School Readiness Symposium at Turf Valley Resort. 

The Winter Symposium is entitled Equity in Literacy Must Start Early and will feature Dr. Nell Duke, professor in literacy, language, and culture and in the combined program in education and psychology at the University of Michigan. Duke’s award-winning research focuses on early literacy development, particularly among children living in poverty. Duke has been named in EdWeek as among the 50 most influential scholars in education. Among her current roles is serving as an expert for the NBC News Parent Toolkit and as an advisor on children's television and other media for the Public Broadcasting Service/Corporation for Public Broadcasting's Ready to Learn program. Duke is author and co-author of numerous journal articles, book chapters, and books.

 We can't achieve equity in society if we don't achieve equity in literacy.  Inequities in early literacy development are an urgent problem - and one we can all do something about. In this presentation Dr. Duke will share strategies we can use to increase opportunities for literacy learning in schools, care settings homes, and communities.  She will speak on the critical need to provide rich language and literacy experiences for children, beginning with infants and toddlers and extending through the early years, to ensure equitable opportunities later in school and in life. Of particular importance is addressing the specific needs of our most vulnerable children, including English learners, children with disabilities and children from low-income families. Through large-group discussions and in-depth breakout sessions, the Symposium will focus on methods to cultivate early language and literacy skills proven to lead to later school achievement; provide developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate practices to support children from birth to age five; and develop strategies to strengthen home, school, and community partnerships.

Check out MilestoneMoments to keep track of your baby's development - available in English and Spanish! 

This summer, parents and caregivers will choose a life-changing course of action for their children by preparing them to enter kindergarten this fall.  Some may utilize Ready At Five’s popular, no-cost, family engagement program, ReadyRosie Summer Soar, while others will take their children to their favorite, Maryland library to listen to books being read to them or take those book home.  Children everywhere will play math games on (their parents’!) smartphones, or explore nature and the great outdoors, building their foundation for science skills.  Most of us regard a child’s successful ‘school readiness’ as a combination of knowing a few letters and numbers, a couple of colors, and being able to share and get along with others.  But, there is another critical factor for a child’s success in school that cannot be undervalued or overlooked:  good health.