Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Survival tips for long family road trips this summer

Updated: Jun. 24, 2022 at 7:08 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Bringing snacks, singing songs and preparing kids for an adventure can make long family road trips more pleasant

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: YOVASO offering camp to teach teens leadership and safe driving skills

Updated: Jun. 15, 2022 at 6:16 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

The four-day event offers leadership skills that will also look great on college applications

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Tightening your belt doesn’t mean missing out on summer family fun

Updated: Jun. 15, 2022 at 5:40 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Keeping the kids entertained and engaged this summer doesn't have to cost you a dime

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Staycation ideas for families that won’t break the budget

Updated: Jun. 8, 2022 at 5:28 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Staycation ideas for families in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: New campaign, “When You Graduate, They Graduate,” encourages adults to earn high school diplomas

Updated: Jun. 1, 2022 at 6:09 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

New campaign, "When You Graduate, They Graduate" is encouraging adults to finish their high school education

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Simplifed offers online feeding and formula support for new parents

Updated: May. 25, 2022 at 5:56 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Simplifed now offering free consultation and baby feeding classes to help support new parents

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Roanoke City Public Schools prepares for student job fair

Updated: May. 18, 2022 at 5:48 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Students can find the perfect summer job at the RCPS Works Job Fair on May 23rd at the Berglund Center

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Need is growing for more Black foster parents in our hometowns

Updated: May. 11, 2022 at 5:52 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

DePaul Community Resources sounding the call for more black foster parents

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Updated: May. 4, 2022 at 5:20 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare offering mental health training sessions, and reminder for parents about warning signs to look for when it comes to their children's mental health

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: YMCA at Virginia Tech celebrates 30th anniversary of Healthy Kids Day

Updated: Apr. 27, 2022 at 5:27 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Healthy Kids Day happening Saturday, April 30 at Virginia Tech

Local Radar

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: “Screenagers” documentary headed to Grandin Theatre

Updated: Apr. 21, 2022 at 5:46 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

"Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age" offers guidance for parents to help prevent their teens from being addicted to their devices

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Tips for negotiating college costs

Updated: Apr. 13, 2022 at 6:10 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Families can wheel and deal, when it comes to paying college tuition

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: 2nd annual HeRow Car Expo raises money for pediatric cancer research

Updated: Apr. 7, 2022 at 5:51 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Car show in Vinton on Saturday will feature a head shaving event to raise money for pediatric cancer research

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Getting kids stoked about STEM

Updated: Apr. 6, 2022 at 6:17 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Professor Christopher Emdin just released a book about encouraging students in STEM.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Casino night fundraiser Saturday night will benefit the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center

Updated: Mar. 23, 2022 at 5:40 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

You can try your luck at casino games this weekend at a benefit for the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Patrick County 10-year-old karate champ featured on soda label, after training video goes viral

Updated: Mar. 16, 2022 at 6:07 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Young karate sensation from Patrick County is now featured on augmented reality soda bottle label

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: With soaring gas prices, families can find plenty of fun close to home on spring break

Updated: Mar. 10, 2022 at 5:21 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Instead of that long road trip, families might want to opt for local attractions and museums

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: National Read Across America Day

Updated: Mar. 2, 2022 at 5:38 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Roanoke City Public Schools celebrating National Read Across America Day with another virtual reading event

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: February is Children’s Dental Health Month

Updated: Feb. 24, 2022 at 5:18 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Dentists highlighting importance of children receiving regular check-ups

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: New VCT4TEENS production tackles teenage suicide

Updated: Feb. 16, 2022 at 5:28 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

"Apologies" explores a teen's final days before taking her own life, the latest in the VCT4TEENS production series

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Huddle Up Moms hosting Thursday night event to help Southwest Virginia mothers find their voice

Updated: Feb. 15, 2022 at 11:10 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Huddle Up Moms encouraging women to speak up, and become advocates for their lives and careers

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: National School Counseling Week

Updated: Feb. 9, 2022 at 5:41 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

The week of February 7 is National School Counseling Week

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: More Virginia students opting to take community college route, preparing for high-demand jobs

Updated: Feb. 2, 2022 at 6:02 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

More students are taking advantage of programs like G3 and Fast Forward, saving time and money on their college education

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Experts encouraging parents to push state legislators for earlier regulation of sale of marijuana products

Updated: Jan. 27, 2022 at 6:18 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Health experts are encouraging families to pressure Virginia legislators to pass regulation of sales of THC products

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Ready Regions to help bring more quality child care to families in Virginia

Updated: Jan. 19, 2022 at 5:57 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Newly-formed Ready Regions network offers assistance statewide to help parents find quality child care for their kids

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: January is National Mentoring Month

Updated: Jan. 12, 2022 at 5:42 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Kids as young as middle school aged can benefit from finding a good mentor

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: NORAD’S Santa Tracker celebrating 66th year of helping make holiday memories

Updated: Dec. 22, 2021 at 5:51 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

NORAD Santa Tracker has been making Christmas brighter for children since 1955, and a member of the Canadian Armed Forces offers some insider tips for Christmas Eve

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Acts of kindness can create lasting family memories this holiday season

Updated: Dec. 15, 2021 at 5:55 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Macaroni Kid Roanoke publisher Beth Bell offers ideas for families to spread kindness this holiday season

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Breakfast with Santa is back, raising money for Roanoke City Public Schools’ Help the Homeless Fund

Updated: Dec. 8, 2021 at 5:59 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Drive-through Breakfast with Santa event will provided needed funds for struggling families in Roanoke

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Martinsville mom shares her story of fostering to adopt a teen

Updated: Nov. 24, 2021 at 5:38 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Martinsville mom fostering to adopt a teen through HopeTree Family Services

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: November is National Adoption Month

Updated: Nov. 17, 2021 at 5:57 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Meet a Martinsville mom whose fostered 10 kids over the years. She's now fostering to adopt a teenager

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Roanoke dentist reminding kids to take care of their teeth as they enjoy Halloween candy

Updated: Nov. 3, 2021 at 5:43 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

After Halloween is a great time to remind kids about the importance of taking care of their teeth

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

Updated: Oct. 27, 2021 at 5:57 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Westside Elementary in Roanoke marking Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Roanoke Valley mom shares story of her 2-year-old accidentally ingesting Delta-8 form of THC

Updated: Oct. 20, 2021 at 6:03 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Mom describes how sick her two-year-old daughter became after she accidentally ingested Delta-8 THC.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Halloween making comeback, and Macaroni Kid Roanoke can help families plan

Updated: Oct. 13, 2021 at 5:27 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Macaroni Kid Roanoke to host Downtown Candy Crawl October 30, as trick-or-treating returns this year

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: New grant allowing Boys & Girls Clubs of SW Virginia to expand after-school and summer programs

Updated: Oct. 6, 2021 at 5:28 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

New grant will allow Boys & Girls Clubs of SW Virginia to expand programs, Clubs also need to hire more staff.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Children’s Trust of Roanoke Valley to host “Save Jane” event on October 7

Updated: Sep. 29, 2021 at 5:59 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

More than 15,000 names of child abuse victims in our region will be read at next week's Save Jane event in Roanoke

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: The time to apply for federal financial aid for college is now

Updated: Sep. 22, 2021 at 5:49 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Students thinking of attending college next year need to start applying for FAFSA to keep from paying more than they need to.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Virginia students encouraged to apply for G3 funding to pay community college tuition, book fees

Updated: Sep. 15, 2021 at 5:46 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Community College students in Virginia can take advantage of the G3 funding program

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Health officials worry kids heading back to school might lead to a rise in E-cigarette use

Updated: Sep. 8, 2021 at 5:55 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Health and education leaders sounding the alarm about possible increased E-cigarette use among kids, now that school is back in session.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Virginia to Go Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Updated: Sep. 1, 2021 at 5:40 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and there's a new campaign for Virginia to light up gold

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: TAP’s Head Start offers free child care to qualifying families in Southwest Virginia

Updated: Aug. 25, 2021 at 5:58 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

TAP's Head Start offers free child care to qualifying families, helping parents return to work after the pandemic

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Annual swim meet coming up to honor Louis Tudor and raise money for scholarship

Updated: Aug. 18, 2021 at 6:11 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

The Big Kahuna End of Summer Splash Swim Meet to honor Louis Tudor, and raise scholarship money, is returning August 28.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Kids need parental oversight, as they continue using technology during school year

Updated: Aug. 12, 2021 at 11:22 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Roanoke Valley schools are still relying heavily on technology, even as students head back to classrooms.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Parents need to check in with kids to make sure they’re emotionally ready for Back-to-School

Updated: Aug. 4, 2021 at 6:47 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Licensed professional counselor Decca Knight offers advice on helping kids handle Back-to-School stress.

Early Years

Roanoke Valley prevention specialists concerned about marijuana legalization’s possible impact on youth

Updated: Jul. 29, 2021 at 6:12 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Prevention Council of Roanoke County warns parents to stay aware and vigilant, with the legalization of marijuana

Early Years

Fleet Feet Roanoke’s Project Forward launches effort to provide socks and shoes for needy students

Updated: Jul. 15, 2021 at 9:11 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Fleet Feet Roanoke's Project Forward launches effort to collect new shoes and socks for needy Roanoke City students for back-to-school.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Whether you have an infant or a teen, an upcoming motherhood summit in Roanoke will help moms connect

Updated: Jul. 15, 2021 at 6:00 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Motherhood summit happening Saturday at Villa Heights Community Center in Roanoke, helping moms connect with each other and resources in the Roanoke Valley.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: PB&J Theatre is a partnership with Roanoke Ballet Theatre for a one-stop shop to educate youth

Updated: Jul. 7, 2021 at 6:14 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

PB&J Theatre Company is offering classes and summer camps to encourage youth to take the stage.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: AAA recommends planning way ahead, as families embark on summer vacations

Updated: Jun. 23, 2021 at 6:02 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

AAA Mid-Atlantic suggests families plan ahead, and make sure destinations are fully open as they plan summer vacations