Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Junior League of Roanoke Valley launching book and food drive for families in need

Updated: Apr. 21, 2021 at 6:22 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Junior League of Roanoke Valley hosting a book and food drive for West End Center for Youth and Feeding Southwest Virginia

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Updated: Apr. 15, 2021 at 10:57 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Children's Trust promoting its Healthy Families initiative, which focuses on helping new parents

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Teach kids about finance long before they get credit cards

Updated: Apr. 7, 2021 at 5:18 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Financial planner JJ Wenrich says kids and teens should get an early start on learning about the stock market.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Financial expert has advice for families struggling with money during pandemic

Updated: Mar. 24, 2021 at 5:11 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Financial expert and Clever Girl Finance founder offers tips for families struggling with their budgets during the pandemic.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Kids don’t outgrow ADHD, but the best way of treating it can change

Updated: Mar. 17, 2021 at 6:04 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

A Carilion Clinic physician weighs in on treatment options for kids with ADHD as they get older.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Loss of interest in activities, preoccupation with food among signs of eating disorder

Updated: Mar. 11, 2021 at 6:43 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Loss of socialization, increase in preoccupation with food among the signs of a possible eating disorder

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Classes offered to help moms handle stress better through holistic care

Updated: Mar. 3, 2021 at 5:23 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Trained nurse now offering holistic wellness classes for moms

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Snapchat and other social media being used by drug dealers to target kids

Updated: Feb. 24, 2021 at 6:03 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Snapchat and other social media apps being used by drug dealers to target kids and teens

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: More moms turning to midwives to help with birthing process

Updated: Feb. 17, 2021 at 5:17 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Local mom shares her experience using a midwife for the birth of her baby.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: February is National Teen Dating Violence and Awareness and Prevention Month

Updated: Feb. 10, 2021 at 6:01 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Family Service of Roanoke Valley's Teen Outreach Program helps teens build self confidence and avoid dangerous relationships.

Local Radar

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Local mom shares her experience with postpartum depression

Updated: Feb. 3, 2021 at 6:00 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Roanoke area mom shares her experience with postpartum depression

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Roanoke County 9-year-old briefly lost ability to walk after battle with COVID-19

Updated: Jan. 27, 2021 at 6:05 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

9-year-old Roanoke County girl was temporarily unable to walk after her bout with COVID-19.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Macaroni Kid Roanoke offers family budgeting tips

Updated: Jan. 20, 2021 at 6:09 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Macaroni Kid Roanoke offers family budgeting tips during pandemic

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Carilion pediatrician offers guidelines for student athletes and families to stay healthy during pandemic

Updated: Jan. 13, 2021 at 6:26 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Carilion pediatrician offers guidelines for student athletes and families to be safe during pandemic

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Parent burnout is soaring amid the pandemic

Updated: Dec. 9, 2020 at 5:54 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Parental burnout is at an all-time high during pandemic

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: CHIP of Roanoke Valley to hold holiday fundraiser differently this year

Updated: Dec. 2, 2020 at 5:53 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

CHIP of Roanoke Valley changing its annual holiday fundraiser due to pandemic

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Pandemic’s impact on adoption isn’t all negative

Updated: Nov. 25, 2020 at 5:54 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

EARLY YEARS: Pandemic's impact on adoptions hasn't been all negative

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: November is National Adoption Month

Updated: Nov. 19, 2020 at 5:46 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

November is National Adoption Month

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Mathnasium of Roanoke helping families struggling with math problems at home

Updated: Nov. 11, 2020 at 6:06 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

Mathnasium of Roanoke now open to help families struggling with math work at home

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: App helps kids learn to budget money they earn by doing household chores

Updated: Nov. 4, 2020 at 6:02 AM EST

By Kimberly McBroom

BusyKid app offers way for kids to learn how to budget their money, and do charitable giving.

Early Years

Despite pandemic, there’s plenty of frightful fun to be had this Halloween

Updated: Oct. 28, 2020 at 5:58 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

EARLY YEARS: Macaroni Kid Roanoke offers safety tips for Halloween fun

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Teaching kids to be grateful, even during challenging times

Updated: Oct. 21, 2020 at 5:43 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

EARLY YEARS: The importance of showing gratitude, even during these challenging times

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: New Hero Fund named for Roanoke girl will go toward pediatric cancer research

Updated: Oct. 14, 2020 at 5:58 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Early Years: A new hero fund through the St. Baldrick's Foundation named after a Roanoke girl will go towards pediatric cancer research

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Parents need to safeguard their kids during virtual learning

Updated: Oct. 7, 2020 at 6:20 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Prevention Council of Roanoke County is offering tips to parents to help keep kids safe during virtual learning.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: YOVASO launches statewide campaign to encourage young drivers and passengers to buckle up

Updated: Sep. 30, 2020 at 5:37 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

YOVASO launches new statewide effort to get teen drivers and passengers to buckle up

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Spaces still available at the YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge new enrichment centers

Updated: Sep. 23, 2020 at 6:11 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

YMCA of Virginia's Blue Ridge running five enrichment centers to help students navigate online classes

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Roanoke teen cancer survivor celebrating three years without needing treatment

Updated: Sep. 16, 2020 at 5:55 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 15-year-old Roanoke native Evers Beck is celebrating three years of not needing treatment, after his brain tumor diagnosis at the age of 10.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: September is Suicide Prevention Month

Updated: Sep. 9, 2020 at 5:57 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare is offering an awareness campaign on social media, and also giving away free trigger locks and medication lock boxes to help prevent suicide in kids and teens.

Early Years

Salem mom creates Facebook support group to connect with other families opting for all-virtual learning

Updated: Sep. 2, 2020 at 5:52 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

A Salem mom who's opted for 100 percent virtual education for her son is hoping to connect with other families doing the same.

The New Back-to-School

Counselor weighs in on possible long-term impact of pandemic on learning

Updated: Aug. 26, 2020 at 11:01 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Local counselor and parenting educator Decca Knight weighs in on the potential long-term loss of learning due to pandemic, and how parents can help their kids

Early Years

Pediatricians say children still need crucial vaccines and the flu shot, amid the pandemic

Updated: Aug. 19, 2020 at 7:53 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Pediatricians say parents shouldn't worry about potential COVID-19 exposure in medical offices, and need to bring kids in for vaccines, including the flu shot

Early Years

Franklin County mom says students with special needs should be in the classroom as much as possible

Updated: Aug. 12, 2020 at 5:55 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Franklin County mom and autism advocate Lavada Guthrie says it's crucial for kids with special needs to get back into the classroom.

Early Years

Many kitchens and dining rooms becoming classrooms, as some families opt for all virtual learning this school year

Updated: Aug. 5, 2020 at 6:44 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Roanoke County mom shares her plan to do all virtual learning for her three kids

Early Years

Parents need to do their homework, when it comes to finding help to pay for child care

Updated: Jul. 29, 2020 at 6:12 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

With changing school schedules, many families are dealing with having to pay extra child care costs. There's help available through programs like United Way of Roanoke Valley's Smart2Start and Child Care Aware of VA.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Roanoke Valley organizations scramble to accommodate influx of students for the new school year

Updated: Jul. 22, 2020 at 6:47 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia and other local organizations are making adjustments to allow for more kids during the upcoming school year

Early Years

Local mom blogger offering help for families navigating the new normal

Updated: Jul. 15, 2020 at 6:35 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Mom blogger Caitlyn Scaggs says a positive outlook can help families navigate the new normal.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Roanoke learning consultant offers advice for helping kids avoid the so-called “COVID Slide”

Updated: Jul. 1, 2020 at 6:18 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Dr. Carolyn Goodspeed of Goodspeed Learning Consultants says to keep kids reading each day, find creative ways to help them learn while they're home from school. She also suggests making a plan now for how you will navigate the upcoming school year.

Early Years

June is National Reunification Month

Updated: Jun. 24, 2020 at 4:49 AM EDT

HopeTree Family Services offers continued support to biological parents who are able to be reunified with their kids, after they've been in foster care. June is National Reunification Month.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Tips on how to start the conversation about racism with your children

Updated: Jun. 17, 2020 at 5:08 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Macaroni Kid Roanoke publisher Beth Bell says talking to kids about embracing other races and cultures at a young age is crucial.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Couple wants to add that "missing piece" to their family by fostering a child

Updated: Jun. 9, 2020 at 11:00 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Colin and Becky Bernard have four children, but want to add another child to fulfill a dream they started 16 years ago.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: May 29 is National 529 College Savings Plan Day

Updated: May. 27, 2020 at 4:53 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

A financial expert says despite the pandemic, now is not the time to stop contributing to your child's college fund.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: May is Foster Care Month in Virginia

Updated: May. 20, 2020 at 4:49 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Foster care applicants are waiting for placements, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Roanoke Valley parenting counselor launches YouTube Channel

Updated: May. 13, 2020 at 5:27 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Decca Knight, owner of Blue Ridge Parenting & Consulting is taking her parenting advice online to help families coping with the COVID-19 pandemic

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Resilience Week in Virginia

Updated: May. 6, 2020 at 4:58 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Roanoke Prevention Alliance has created a calendar with tips to help families build resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: RAYSAC sponsoring a social distancing challenge for kids and teens during quarantine

Updated: Apr. 29, 2020 at 5:56 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Social distancing is tough on teens who miss their friends. These challenges are designed to keep them busy and having fun.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Roanoke boy using birthday to raise money for Rescue Mission of Roanoke

Updated: Apr. 29, 2020 at 4:57 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Tyler Hettig's dad says he's a helpful kid, and is using his 10th birthday to help those most in need

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Updated: Apr. 21, 2020 at 9:44 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

The coronavirus pandemic is causing at-risk kids to be in more danger, and putting a strain on foster care services.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: Roanoke literacy program now serving as a food distribution site during coronavirus pandemic

Updated: Mar. 31, 2020 at 5:22 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Kids Soar is serving as a food pantry for the families they serve, as well as the general public.

Early Years

EARLY YEARS: March is Mediation Month in Virginia

Updated: Mar. 24, 2020 at 11:33 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Parent educator and mediator Eddy Smart helps guide Roanoke Valley families through divorce.

Early Years

Roanoke Valley mom of four offers tips on homeschooling

Updated: Mar. 18, 2020 at 5:51 AM EDT

By Kimberly McBroom

Lesley Butterfield works with Macaroni Kid Roanoke, and has advice on putting together a successful at-home schedule