Posts by Sheila Hansen

Play is often seen as simple fun, but in preschool and kindergarten, it is one of the most powerful tools for learning and development. Through play, children explore the world around them, build relationships and develop essential cognitive, social, and emotional skills that form the foundation for lifelong learning. 

Play-based legislation is working its way through the legislative process but has stalled in the Senate. The bill unanimously passed the Iowa House of Representatives on March 2. It also unanimously passed a Senate Subcommittee and full committee — only to be placed on the debate calendar and then suddenly pulled from debate this week.

Across the U.S., families and child care providers are facing a perfect storm of rising costs, staffing shortages and political turbulence — and Iowa is no exception. Here's an update.