Early Childhood Education

‘We use our words, they use their play’: How playtime is helping kids process the LA fires

Drawing, playing and make-believe are tools children can use to comprehend the disruption of the past month.

A wooden table is covered with blocks. Some of the blocks are u-shaped, others are shaped like trees or half-moons. An orange and red scarf hangs over the blocks, and a small child's hand can be seen pulling on the scarf. A blue and green scarf sits on the front of the table, covering some of the blocks.

For childcare providers, wildfires are just one more crisis

Childcare providers say they know that their work is critical to allowing families to find new housing or return to work. But they're also trying to figure out how they themselves will recover, or stay afloat at all.

An older man wearing flannel and gray sweats sits next to an older woman with white hair wearing gray sweats, next to them are two young boys and a woman wearing all black. They sit on a gray couch in a living room and above them on the wall is a hanging painting that reads "Home" in cursive.

What parents should know about wildfire air quality, ash, and protecting kids

Wildfire smoke causes particularly dangerous air quality, especially for sensitive groups including children and pregnant people.

A woman with a ponytail and a hat on holds a young boy in her arms. They're outside on a parking lot surface. In the background are piles and piles of clothing.

More family leave pay in California starting in January

Starting in January, California will increase leave payments for workers caring for a new child or a sick family member.

A closeup of newborn baby feet in a maternity ward.

More infants in OC are getting exposed to harmful substances, report finds

The finding is among several in Orange County's "Conditions of Children" report identifying youth and maternal health disparities.

Two kids with glasses play on a jungle gym.

With thousands of slots still open, LAUSD opens up subsidized preschool to higher-income families

The program is aimed at serving low-income families, but the district is opening it up to other families because of low enrollment.

The interior of a classroom for young children, with wooden tables and chairs neatly arranged around cubbies filled with toys.

Finding family services is hard. How South LA built a one-stop shop for people with young kids

Families in crisis have to knock on multiple doors to find services, often getting turned away before they can find help. In South L.A., 42 organizations are working together to make sure families are taken care of.

A medium skin-toned woman in a black top and a young medium skin-toned girl in a brightly patterned jacket stand together, the woman holding the girl close.

We asked chefs: How do you involve your kids in Thanksgiving food prep?

Kids might not be the most efficient sous chefs, but having them be part of the kitchen can be an enriching learning experience to learn about family traditions.

A young girl and boy stir together something in two metal bowl while cooking at home. There's also flour visible on the tabletop.

How would a Trump presidency affect early childhood care in Southern California?

California families spent an average of nearly $20,000 on infant care in 2021. How could a second Trump presidency affect early education and family leave?