Early Childhood Education

Americans are stressed about the elections. How to talk to your kids about it

Many Americans are feeling stressed about the elections and that anxiety can transfer to kids.

A woman with her back-facing the camera votes with her two young children besides her at a voting center.

Timeout? Gentle parenting? What one expert says about child discipline

Experts says timeouts can be used effectively to manage children’s behaviors, but they should be done in a non-punitive way.

A toddler with curly brown hair sits in a chair and points to a picture in his book.

There's free childcare for Angelenos who want to vote on Election Day

Some Los Angeles childcare organizations are paying to help parents go out to vote.

A woman with a baseball cap holds a baby in a carrier that has a voter sticker.

Majority of LA County parents struggle with basic needs, survey finds

71% of parents in L.A. County with children under 6 are struggling to meet a basic need like food, housing, utilities, or childcare, according to a survey by the Stanford Center on Early Childhood.

In Antelope Valley, domestic violence survivors lack resources to reunite with kids in child welfare

A new report found domestic violence survivors also had a hard time reuniting with their children because of a lack of housing, childcare, and transportation.

A purple and white plastic tricycle is in the foreground of an abandoned home.

Yep, you’re probably breathing in plastic chemicals, study finds

A study out of UC Riverside shows Southern Californians are being continuously exposed to toxic chemicals known as plasticizers.

Rows of salads in plastic containers sit on shelves at a market or grocery store.

What's next for foster families after an insurance shakeup threatens to upend thousands?

The largest insurer of California's foster agencies says it's ending coverage. Foster care advocates fear that if the issue isn't resolved, children will end up being displaced.

A woman with medium skin tone and long curly hair rests her elbow on a bureau. Over the bureau is a gallery wall of photos of different children.

California will let workers apply early for family leave

A new law allows people to take care of paperwork up to 30 days in advance of when they expect to need leave, rather than waiting until they’re actually on leave.

Mothers and their babies attend a baby music class facilitated by June Kelly, a postpartum doula and yoga instructor.

An insurance cliff is coming for California's foster system. What that means for foster families and kids

The insurance agency for most of the state’s foster family agencies is pulling out of the market, starting Oct. 1. If these agencies shut down, hundreds of kids could be moved from their homes.

A hand holds a baby's brown leather shoe.

A local researcher used her own brain to learn what happens during pregnancy

Liz Chrastil, a neuroscientist at UC Irvine, opted to have her brain scanned every few weeks during her entire pregnancy to see what changes occur. It’s the closest look yet and researchers call the data astounding.