“For children who are at risk, the gap between their performance and the performance of children who are not at risk begins to appear as early as 18 months of age on standardized tests.”
-Dr. Jack P. Shonkoff
News and Views
Middle Tyger Community Center Happenings
Middle Tyger Community Center's 3K students celebrated an early Thanksgiving lunch with their families. In addition to lunch, they received a brief lesson in Family Literacy and how they can incorporate The BASICS into the holiday season to maximize the learning...
Baby Talk: October 2019
Several years ago while attending a BUILD Initiative Round-table I had the privilege to spend the morning with Camille Catlett, a national leader and expert with more than 25 years in the field of early care and education. She was a sharing her expertise and deep...
The Basics
The Basics are five fun, simple and powerful ways that every family can give every child a great start in life! During the early years of brain growth, infants and toddlers absorb massive amounts of information from interacting with parents and other caregivers. This...
Organizing the Classroom for High Quality Learning
Research tell us that a key component of a high quality learning environment is the physical arrangement of a classroom. Community Playthings offers helpful suggestions for creating a classroom that supports creativity and exploration. Click here to read more about...
The Franklin School: The Power of Collaborative Partnerships
The January 2019 opening of The Franklin School, an $11.4 million early learning center in the Northside neighborhood of Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a testament to the power of collaborative partnerships to transform the landscape of early care and education....
Summer Safety Tips: Sun and Water Safety
Summer Safety Tips…
The Ultimate Summer Reading List for 3- to 5-Year-Olds — 2017 Edition
The Ultimate Summer Reading List….
Six Educational Games for Preschoolers
Early learning, including head start programs and other educational initiatives, has a dramatic impact on a child's overall cognitive development. One of the primary ways this learning takes place is through play. That's why it's our mission to provide caregivers with...