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Early Childhood

Walz taps assistant commissioner to lead new child-focused department

Walz taps assistant commissioner to lead new child-focused department

Tikki Brown has been part of the team planning for the new department since it was announced in 2023. It’s set to open in July and oversee programs four young children currently divided up among four state agencies.
by Kyra Miles

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Child care closures renew worries around the economics of early learning

Child care closures renew worries around the economics of early learning

The University of St. Catherine’s decision to close its 93-year-old early childhood center is rekindling worries about the financial health of child care operations. Minnesota’s spending more but the needs and challenges are outrunning the new money.
by Kyra Miles

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Shots can be scary and painful for kids. One doctor has a plan to end needle phobia

Shots can be scary and painful for kids. One doctor has a plan to end needle phobia

Research suggests the biggest source of pain for children in the health care system is needles. One California doctor says the fear of needles is a serious problem, but proposes some simple solutions.
by April Dembosky

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Better wellness visits, healthier kids: Minnesota pediatricians try a new approach

Better wellness visits, healthier kids: Minnesota pediatricians try a new approach

Some pediatricians in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud are experimenting with a program they say is improving basic kid wellness visits and may lead to better outcomes for some of the youngest, neediest Minnesotans. The state’s looking at how it might help the program grow.
by Kyra Miles

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As mental health worries rise for Black Minnesotans, focus shifts to strengthening kids, caregivers

As mental health worries rise for Black Minnesotans, focus shifts to strengthening kids, caregivers

The well-being of young children and their caregivers is closely connected, and children struggle when adults struggle. For Black Minnesota kids and their families, poverty and racism compound those problems. Charting a path forward includes preparing kids for a “harsh world,” one expert says.
by Kyra Miles

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The 5-minute daily playtime ritual that can get your kids to listen better

The 5-minute daily playtime ritual that can get your kids to listen better

Called "special time," the strategy is widely recommended by children's health professionals to help reduce behavioral issues in young children. Here's a guide on how to do it with your kids at home.
by Becky Harlan and Summer Thomad

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3 key facts about RSV and kids this season in Minnesota

3 key facts about RSV and kids this season in Minnesota

Last year was one of the worst in recent Minnesota history for RSV infections and hospitalizations. This season has been much more manageable, although numbers are rising and health officials are keeping close watch on the data. Here’s what to know.
by Kyra Miles

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