Early Education & Schools

Greenville, S.C. – October 06, 2026 -- South Carolina's Kindergarten Readiness Assessment measures children across four areas: Social Foundations, Language/Literacy, Mathematics, and Physical Well-Being, placing social and physical development alongside early academic skills.

Independence matters as much as letters and numbers

At Archway Academy, a Greenville-based early childhood education provider, President Tami Nix says preparing children for kindergarten means building independence alongside academics. "We're doing the academic piece, but we're also working on the whole child," Nix said. "Reading is important. It is the foundation for learning, but children need to have all those pieces together as we prepare them for kindergarten."

New York – September 30, 2026 -- Understood.org, a nonprofit supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families, has launched a new brand campaign called "Less Noise, More Understood," timed to ADHD and Learning Disabilities Awareness Month in October.

The campaign targets misinformation overload facing parents

Research cited by the organization found that 52% of TikTok videos about ADHD and 41% of videos about autism contain inaccurate or misleading information. One in four caregivers say they've regretted a health decision for their child because of conflicting information they encountered.

"Social media mentions of 'neurodivergence' more than quadrupled between 2021 and 2025, and they're still climbing," said Nathan Friedman, co-president and chief marketing officer at Understood. "As the conversation grows, this community deserves credible information that's easy to find, trust and act on."

New York – September 22, 2026 -- Teenagers across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa can now submit scripts for a 30-second TV public service announcement warning drivers about the dangers of speeding, with a top prize of $2,000.

The 13th annual Drive Safe Chicago PSA Contest opens for entries

The National Road Safety Foundation, backed by the Chicago Auto Show, is running the contest for teens in the Chicagoland region and surrounding states. Entrants must submit a script or written description of a speeding-awareness PSA by mail or email before the Dec. 18, 2026 deadline.

Mt. Juliet – September 21, 2026 -- A new HelloNation article breaks down the differences between recreational and competitive gymnastics, offering parents a guide for choosing the right path for their children.

Recreational gymnastics prioritizes fun over performance

The article explains that recreational gymnastics programs center on enjoyment, movement, and steady progress rather than competitive outcomes. Classes typically include tumbling, balance work, and group activities, letting children build coordination and confidence at their own pace. This setting suits kids who want to stay active without competitive pressure while developing social skills through teamwork.