Author Ainissa Ramirez tells columnist Dr. Artika R. Tyner why she wrote “Spark,” a picture book about Black inventor Jim West, who created the microphone, and how parents and caregivers can turn it into curiosity-building literacy time at home.
First Educator
Posted inFirst Educator
Balancing screen time and literacy development
Minnesota kids spend up to six hours daily on screens while reading scores decline. Discover how parents can balance device use and foster a lifelong love of reading.
Posted inFirst Educator
Robert S. Abbott: Defender of justice
Robert S. Abbott launched The Chicago Defender to combat Jim Crow and champion equality. Dr. Artika R. Tyner explores how parents and caregivers can use his legacy of unrelenting tenacity to inspire young changemakers today.
Posted inFirst Educator
Representation matters: Why diverse books keep children engaged
Books can act as mirrors or windows for children, and columnist Dr. Artika R. Tyner argues that culturally relevant stories matter more than most parents realize. She breaks down how to build a home library that does both.
Posted inFirst Educator
Preventing summer reading loss at home
Dr. Artika Tyner offers practical strategies for parents and caregivers to prevent summer slide and keep children reading and learning throughout the summer months.
Posted inFirst Educator
Sustaining the future through community care
Community care and sustainability are deeply connected, and community development expert Felix Larbi Appiah explains how First Educators can teach children to build a more just and resilient future together.
Posted inFirst Educator
Literacy at every age
Early childhood literacy development stages begin before birth. Here is how parents and caregivers can support children from toddlerhood through the teen years.
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Fostering growth at home: Q&A insights on mental health, wellness, and autism
Albertina Mella shares advice for first educators supporting children with autism while prioritizing caregiver mental health.
Posted inBlack History
Fifty years of Black progress and paradox
Black progress and racial disparities Minnesota reflect decades of advancement tempered by persistent wealth, education and justice gaps.
Posted inBlack History
We are rooted in resilience – What Black history teaches us in a shifting world
As Black History Month reaches its centennial, this reflection explores what it means to remain rooted in history while shaping a more just future.
Posted inFirst Educator
Making a difference: Key strategies for community-based adaptation
Minnesota families are feeling the impacts of climate change through hotter summers, unpredictable storms and rising energy bills. Community based adaptation gives residents the power to respond with practical strategies such as planting trees for cooling, creating rain gardens to reduce flooding and using energy efficient appliances at home. These actions strengthen neighborhoods and build leadership skills in children who will shape the future.