What the New ECE Budget Means for Families

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) has released a new budget summary for 2025-2027 that prioritizes early learning, access, and support for families and providers.

Year of the Kid!

On January 22, 2025, Governor Tony Evers made a major announcement that’s bringing renewed hope to families and child care providers across Wisconsin!

How We Can Support Families Through Stress

A new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Parents Under Pressure”, dives into the growing stress many caregivers are facing—and why offering support matters now more than ever.

Celebrate Youth Art Month!

Art is more than just a creative outlet—it’s a powerful learning tool that strengthens children’s cognitive, language, and social-emotional development.

Celebrating the Power of Parent-Child Interactions in Milwaukee

We’re thrilled to see our work recognized in a recent TMJ4 feature, which highlights how parent-child interactions are transforming Milwaukee families and enhancing literacy rates. The article showcases the incredible impact of everyday moments, proving that parents are their child’s first and most important teacher.

Celebrate Read Across America Day!

Whether it’s through bedtime stories, interactive books, or playful storytelling, every Mighty Small Moment spent reading with your child makes a difference. Early literacy starts with exposure, and toddlers learn best when reading is fun and engaging.

Why Reading to Your Baby from Birth Builds a Brighter Future!

Babies are born learners. Even before they can talk, they are absorbing words, sounds, and emotions from the world around them. Reading aloud helps shape the foundation for language, communication, and cognitive growth.

Dancing shapes brain development, boosts confidence, and strengthens social connections.

From the moment children begin moving to music, they engage in activities that strengthen motor skills, enhance memory, and encourage creativity. And what better way to celebrate these benefits than with an exciting Daddy Daughter Dance Contest?

December 27th is Visit the Zoo Day! Learn how you can join the fun.

The zoo is more than just a place to see animals—it’s a chance to spark curiosity, inspire learning, and create lasting memories with your kids. Whether it’s your child’s first time seeing a lion or their chance to learn about endangered species, a trip to the zoo offers countless opportunities for Mighty Small Moments.

Creating Mighty Small Moments Over the Holidays

The holidays are a time for family, joy, and connection—a perfect opportunity to create Mighty Small Moments that spark growth and learning in your little ones. These everyday interactions, like reading, playing, and exploring, help build your child’s brain and strengthen your bond.

We are thrilled to share that our PopSpot initiative was recently featured on TMJ4 News!

This coverage shines a spotlight on an exciting and innovative way for Milwaukee families to engage in hands-on learning experiences while creating Mighty Small Moments that will leave a lasting impact on their children's development.

The first week of December marks National Handwashing Awareness Week, a perfect time to remind families about the importance of hand hygiene—especially for young children.

Handwashing may seem simple, but it’s one of the most powerful tools for preventing the spread of illness. Teaching children good handwashing habits early sets them up for a lifetime of wellness.

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month, a time to reflect on the safety of the gifts we give to children. With the holiday season in full swing, it’s important to ensure the toys and gifts under the tree bring joy—and not harm—to your little ones.

As parents and caregivers, we all want the holidays to be magical, but it's just as crucial that they’re safe. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, toy-related injuries result in tens of thousands of emergency room visits annually. Safe Toys and Gifts Month encourages families to make mindful choices when selecting toys, focusing on age-appropriate options and safety.

If you're looking for ways to celebrate this holiday without breaking the bank, Milwaukee has you covered! Across the city, there are wonderful events and opportunities where families can gather, enjoy a delicious meal, and embrace the spirit of giving—all for free.

Thanksgiving isn’t just a time to gather and enjoy a feast - It’s a chance to make memories that will shape your child’s early learning and development. Mighty Small Moments are the everyday activities that nurture a child’s growing brain, and the holiday season offers countless opportunities for these meaningful connections. Here’s how you can create Mighty Small Moments this Thanksgiving.

Today is “Read Across Milwaukee” day, and to celebrate we’ve collaborated with Central City Cyberschool of Milwaukee to read to children in grades K4 - Grade 3 with an extraordinary guest reader, Mayor Cavalier Johnson!

Together, Mayor Johnson and our awesome volunteers took literary adventures with the youth and helped to celebrate the power of reading. The event was such a success and CBS 58 also stopped by and captured footage of the event!

We are SO excited to share that our partner, LaundryCares Foundation, was nationally recognized as a Library of Congress Announces 2024 Literacy Awards recipient!

The Library of Congress Literacy Awards program, sponsored by David M. Rubenstein since 2013, and also by the Kislak Family Foundation since 2023, honors promising initiatives that provide exemplary, innovative and replicable strategies that promote literacy (Source: https://newsroom.loc.gov/).

September is National Literacy Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of reading and literacy in shaping our children’s future.

At MKE4Kids, we are committed to helping families build strong literacy foundations through daily interactions and #MightySmallMoments that support brain development and educational success. We’ve created a special Literacy Activity Calendar for September, full of fun, engaging activities that families can do together to support early literacy, no matter how busy their schedules may be.

Dea Wright is featured in the National Campaign for Grade-Level Reading initiative’s video celebrating the important role of Children's Museums in early education. Watch to learn more!

"Read, Play & Learn" popularity is growing!

In February 2024, we partnered with LaundryCare Foundation to install a “Read, Learn & Play” space at Quick Wash Laundromat 7613 W. Villard Ave.

This space is intentionally designed to foster the development of Mighty Small Moments between parents and their children, while simultaneously improving the literacy of their child. Spectrum News recently covered the success of the installation! Check out the full story below.