Child Development

Babara Edinberg, research director of the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition, was recognized this week for her leadership on behalf of Connecticut’s children and families at Connecticut Voices for Children’s “First for Kids Awards” ceremony on Oct. 17.

The event, which took place at the Pond House Café in Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, honored individuals and organizations in Connecticut whose work and commitment to the state’s young people serves as a model.

The Southington Board of Education could soon make a move to provide all-day kindergarten for all students - but before a decision is made, they will look to hear from the public one more time. 

School Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr. announced Thursday that in the wake of inclement weather that forced the Board of Education to cancel a community conversation Wednesday and board meeting Thursday, Southington schools have rescheduled the community conversation. 

Robin Lamott Sparks of Hamden has joined the nonprofit organization Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition as the new Director of Policy and Research. 

She replaces Director of Research Barbara Edinberg, who has announced her retirement, which will begin at the end of the 2012. Edinberg will serve as the Director of Research Emeritus for the rest of this year while she and Sparks work together to ensure a seamless transition. 

The Child Health and Development Institute will meet Friday with officials in the legislature and various state departments to discuss the health of young children in the state and ways to improve it.

The Wethersfield Early Childhood Collaborative is hosting a kick-off event to present Wethersfield's Community Plan for Young Children & Families, Thursday, Oct. 11, 5:30 p.m. buffet dinner; 6 p.m. remarks, report presentation, and a community call to action and commitment. The event will be held at Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St., Wethersfield.

The United States faces many urgent educational and economic challenges. Ranking high on that is the need to create a high-quality early learning system that reaches many more children than the current system permits.