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<ul class="summary-list"><li>We chose to send our two daughters to an expensive private preschool. </li><li>They overlapped only one year before our oldest moved to public school.</li></ul>It's no secret that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/childcare-too-expensive-unaffordable-2024-3">day care in the US is expensive</a>. Being a working parent in today's economy is impossible — we debated one of us staying at home with the kids because of how expensive childcare can be. Basically, we cannot afford it, but we pay for it anyway.I am well aware that "paying for it anyway" is a luxury in itself. Growing up, I felt that I had a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-raise-happy-kids-2016-7">well-rounded childhood</a>, and I try to mirror this for my own kids. <h2 id="0ca9eb9a-f07a-498c-ab98-bdad29c7fef1">I went to a private school</h2>My childhood started in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/private-kindergarten-costs-84000-were-making-school-district-pay-2023-7">private preschool</a> setting and in many ways, I feel as though that experience led me toward a successful path in terms of social connections and education. When I had children of my own, sending them to a similar preschool was a high priority for me. I never once considered the fact that the cost wouldn't allow them to go until I was faced with that reality.When we had one child, sending her to our <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/betsy-devos-compares-school-choice-uber-2017-3">school of choice</a> was difficult but doable. We had to tighten some purse strings and look at our budget more closely, but overall, it wasn't too much of a stretch. But then, it was time to send our second child. Suddenly, sending both of our daughters to this <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/montessori-school-cost-mortgage-payment-2024-2">wildly expensive preschool</a> was no longer something we could just do. In fact, we were at the point where it became something we simply could not afford, no matter how many purse strings we tightened. It costs a little under $15,000 per child a year to attend the school. I had to face the fact that the dream life I had imagined in my head may not be something I could provide for my daughters.<h2 id="1bc21467-f5b2-4a37-887b-3322f0bca132">We struggled financially </h2>And yet, my stubbornness to hold onto my dream led us to the first day of school, two daughters in tow, ready to embark on a new year at our beloved school. We were excited for them, yes, but the looming <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/preschools-in-new-york-city-2018-6">monthly payment</a> was sitting directly on our shoulders. A lot had to change to afford it. We struggled a lot that year (luckily, they only overlapped one year until my oldest went to a public elementary school). Things were, and still are, very stressful. But we wouldn't change it. My girls are well-rounded, emotionally and socially inept, and truly in love with their school. They are kind to their friends, respectful of adults, and simply happy kids who run into any classroom setting with ease and excitement. My oldest walked into Kindergarten ready to conquer anything it threw at her because her preschool taught her how.<h2 id="abdef197-9ad4-4a5c-91b6-41aa9e96502b">School gave them a lot more than education</h2>At first, I chose to send them to private preschool for their early education and social learning, but in the end, it became so much more than that. The preschool became a family. It is the place where I met my best friends and my entire support system. Without the connections I made when my oldest started there, I would have felt lost and alone in the world of parenting. I look back at all of the memories and the connections we built in the four years at the school — and the ones we continue to make as my youngest still attends — and I am so grateful for the decision to keep going and to make it work. Being able to drop my kids off in a place that feels safe and like home means I am able to build my career. It gave me a sense of community, a sense of peace, and the ability to focus on myself, which is a luxury you can't put a price on when you are parenting young children.Yes, we continue to struggle, and a lot of our financial issues wouldn't be present if we had chosen to send them elsewhere or to stay home with them. Sure, we had to forgo any type of summer vacation this year and my daughter's kindergarten wardrobe is made up entirely of hand-me-downs, but we are OK. We will overcome it, and I am confident that we will always be able to look back and know that our choice for their early education was worth it.

My kids go to a preschool we can't afford. We chose to sacrifice our budget for their early education. 

Every year, nearly 6,500 <keyword id="20068743" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="adolescent-girls" source="keywords">adolescent girls</keyword> in <keyword id="19897710" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="South-Asia" source="keywords">South Asia</keyword> die giving birth. Most of them are minors <keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="WHO" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="WHO">who</keyword> have limited power over their reproductive health or lives, according to a joint analysis done by <keyword id="20018080" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNICEF" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="UNICEF" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="UNICEF">UNICEF</keyword>, WHO and <keyword id="20802066" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNFPA" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="UNFPA" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="UNFPA">UNFPA</keyword>. South Asia accounts for 290 million <keyword id="22387193" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="child-brides" source="keywords">child brides</keyword> - nearly half of the world's burden. In three countries in South Asia, they are also four times more likely to be out of school than their unmarried peers, as per the analysis done by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), <keyword id="19902256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organisation" source="keywords">World Health Organisation</keyword> (WHO) and United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA). At the two-day regional dialogue on adolescent pregnancy in South Asia, which concluded on Friday, the <keyword id="20679678" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SAARC" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="SAARC" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="SAARC">SAARC</keyword> countries, UNICEF South Asia, UNFPA and WHO called for increased commitment to critical services for over 2.2 million adolescent girls that give birth yearly in South Asia, a joint press release issued by the agencies said. "I appreciate the role of governments, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society for the improvements made by the SAARC region over the years in reducing <keyword id="22387194" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="teenage-pregnancy" source="keywords">teenage pregnancy</keyword>," said Ambassador Golam Sarwar, the Secretary General of SAARC. "But the region still has a long way to go. I call upon everyone to resolutely address the root causes including child marriage, access to adolescent health education, and removing social stigma in managing the teenage population of the SAARC region," he said. Every year, nearly 6,500 adolescent girls die in childbirth in South Asia, according to the analysis by UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA. Most of them are child brides who have limited or negligible power and autonomy over their reproductive health or lives. When young girls give birth, their lives can be at risk as they are not yet physically ready to give birth. Thousands more girls are forced to drop out of school, face stigma, rejection, violence, unemployment as well as lifelong social challenges. Forty-nine per cent of young girls in South Asia are not in education, employment or training - the highest in the world, the press release said. "We must do better for adolescent girls, particularly those who are married, pregnant or parents. In addition to hurdles to learn, get good healthcare and eat nutritious food, they are denied the opportunity to build skills and start businesses -- everything they need as parents to thrive and fulfil their potential," said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia. "We must work together and invest in opportunities to unleash the promise of more than 170 million adolescent girls in South Asia. Doing so would be transformative for this region," he said. Government and UN officials, adolescent girls, as well as civil society representatives from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have participated in the dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to providing better services to support pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers. This includes opportunities to learn, set up their businesses, and earn a living. The event held in Kathmandu over July 11-12 was jointly organised by SAARC, WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA and was inaugurated by the Secretary General of SAARC, Ambassador Golam Sarwar. Adolescent mothers have a much higher risk of dying from maternal causes, compared to women in their 20s and 30s. "It is high time that we reverse this trend. The unique physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and sexual development during adolescence necessitates special attention in national and international policies. Effective strategies to tackle adolescent pregnancy require cross-sectoral collaboration and equitable access to a variety of services," said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia.

Over 6,500 adolescent girls die giving birth every year across South Asia, says a recent study

In a small village in Zambia, a teenager carries the key to her <keyword id="21911075" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bicycle" source="keywords">bicycle</keyword> lock around her neck like an ornament. Her father, the leader of the hamlet frowns upon it. But it has little to no effect on her, because the bicycle was her key to freedom, and symbolic of the agency she now had over her life. <div type="image" title="Students of Government Manorama Vidyapith Girls High School in Patna (2009)" agency="BCCL" msid="113057493" hostid="261"></div> Similarly, a girl in her neighbouring village would deflate her cycle’s tyres every day, and bury the key somewhere far from the reach of her brother, to stop him from using it. Why were these young women so territorial and proud over a seemingly modest mode of commute to their school? How is it related to Bihar, and how has something as small and insignificant as a bicycle paved the way for a broader movement of woman empowerment? Read on to find out! <h2>Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana</h2>Being one of the most impoverished states in India, Bihar is plagued with a large gender gap in school attendance. This gap in attendance in schools only grows with age. The enrollment of girls in primary school is satisfactory, largely due to the availability of primary schools and the introduction of schemes like the midday meal. However, distance remains a huge barrier in the hinterlands, pushing them further away from attending secondary school. In 2006, the Nitish Kumar-led state government, launched the Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana, a pioneering cash-for-kind program to empower girls through education. The program initially provided ₹2000 to 14-year-old girls enrolled in 9th grade, enabling them to purchase bicycles. This initiative was designed to address one of the most significant barriers to education for girls in Bihar—long distances to secondary schools. But, how profound were the implications of this policy intervention? In 2008, <a href="https://www.nishithprakash.com">Professor Nishith Prakash</a> from Northeastern University and <a href="https://econweb.ucsd.edu/~kamurali/index.html">Professor Kartik Muralidharan</a> of the University of California, San Diego embarked on a study to gauge the policy’s impact with support from the International Growth Centre (IGC). Their research found that this bicycle program increased age-appropriate secondary school enrolment for girls aged 14-15 by 32%. It also reduced the gender gap in enrolment by 40%. Moreover, the number of girls appearing for and passing the 10th-grade exam rose by 18% and 12%, respectively. The success of this initiative highlighted the transformative power of providing a bicycle. Inspired by the Bihar program's success, Professor Prakash later collaborated with <a href="https://worldbicyclerelief.org">World Bicycle Relief (WBR)</a> and Zambia's Ministry of General Education to implement a similar initiative in the Southern province of Zambia. <h2>After Bihar, why Zambia?</h2>Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa that has made significant strides in improving access to primary education with near-universal primary school enrolment. However, the story, when it comes to girls in secondary education, is markedly different. The drop-off for girls, as they transition to secondary education is stark. According to the World Bank’s 2015 report ‘Policy Brief: Zambia,’ their enrolment fell to just 61% at the lower secondary level. The same report states that girls drop out of school at double the rate of boys in Grade 7 and triple the rate of boys by Grade 11. <h2>A tough road to secondary school</h2>Transitioning to, and completing secondary education is particularly challenging for girls, primarily due to barriers like school fees, long distances to school, and societal factors such as teenage pregnancy and child marriage. These challenges are even more pronounced in rural areas. Additionally, this transition to secondary school often coincides with the onset of menstruation, which brings its own set of challenges. The lack of menstrual hygiene facilities in schools, coupled with the stigma and lack of awareness surrounding menstruation, further exacerbates the already significant gap in girls' education. Nearly 98% of girls in their sample reported walking to school, spending an average of 110 minutes commuting just one way, as reported in a <a href="https://www.cesifo.org/en/publications/2022/working-paper/wheels-change-transforming-girls-lives-bicycles">new study</a> authored by Professor Nishith Prakash and his collaborators. Alarmingly, 35% of these girls reported experiencing sexual harassment during their commute, highlighting just how perilous a journey many face in their pursuit of education. This <a href="https://www.cesifo.org/en/publications/2022/working-paper/wheels-change-transforming-girls-lives-bicycles">intervention</a> was introduced in Zambia, providing bicycles to girls in 100 schools across three districts, and the results were promising. Overall absenteeism dropped by 29%, translating to an additional five school days per year for girls in the Southern Province, where the average primary school student missed 18 days annually. Girls in the schools who received the bicycles were 38% less likely to drop out of school compared to those in the schools who did not receive the bicycles. <h2>Pedalling towards a safer commute</h2>The impact of these bicycles extended beyond just improved attendance. The program also led to enhanced perceptions of safety among the girls. One year after the intervention, girls in the treatment group reported a 22% reduction in instances of being teased or harassed on their way to school. Additionally, the probability of girls missing school or leaving early due to safety concerns dropped by 39%. Post the success of this program, the United States Agency For International Development (USAID) awarded $3.5 million to fund bicycles for growth initiatives to increase access in rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. Additionally, the Ministry of General Education (Zambia) scaled up the cycle program in several districts in Zambia. Simply put, the bicycles in Bihar and Zambia gave young girls the agency of making choices for themselves. While the immediate benefit of these programs was providing the means for women to travel to school, the long-term impact reveals significant shifts in attitudes among both the women involved and the communities around them! But did you know that the use of bicycles to provide women with this much-needed agency isn’t new and was actively instituted by women during the suffrage movement of the 19th century — a decades-long fight to win the right to vote for women in the United States? <h2>Corsets to cycles: The Suffrage movement &amp; bicycles</h2> <div type="image" title="A woman with a bicycle in early 1900s" msid="113057788" hostid="261"></div> In the late 19th century, during the American industrial revolution, a seemingly simple invention sparked a movement that would forever change women's lives — the bicycle. As the country experienced a ‘bicycle craze,’ the first wave of the women’s rights movement was gaining momentum. The bicycle quickly became more than just a mode of transportation; it became a powerful symbol of change and progress in the fight for women’s emancipation. In fact, the introduction of the bicycle revolutionised women’s fashion, breaking away from restrictive corsets and long skirts that had previously hindered their mobility. Instead, women began to adopt more practical, comfortable clothing that allowed them to cycle freely. The image of the ‘new woman’ emerged — educated, sporty, and career-oriented — with a bicycle as her constant companion. In 1895, at the age of 80, suffragist leader <keyword id="23037502" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elizabeth-cady-stanton" source="keywords">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</keyword> predicted the power of the bicycle in transforming the lives of women. Having the ability to be self-reliant, often for the first time in their lives, would encourage them to be more courageous in other areas as well. While back then, their fight was for their right to vote in political elections, times have changed. Women have to fight different battles — some new and some old — to realise and utilise their potential. What has remained constant in this journey is the bicycle! Susan B. Anthony, another suffragist leader further opined, “Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammelled womanhood.” Had she known that several decades later, this simpleton mode of transport would continue to improve the lives of young women in remote parts of the Global South, she would’ve been happy to her heart's content! If something as mundane as access to mobility has historically brought such great results, what can be done to bring greater mobility for women in policy-making today? Professor Nishith Prakash suggests that mobility needs to be thought of in a broader context. Mobility in the case of women isn’t just freedom to be able to go from one place to another. There are multiple actors at play, including their actual safety and the perception of feeling safe in an environment. Cultural norms in most societies across the globe, and in India, automatically grant the power of key-decision making to men. For these archaic norms to be challenged, he suggests changes in curriculum from early childhood. Reiterating the importance of agency in making choices for themselves, there need to be jobs for them to want to step out of the confines of their homes. And once they do, nothing can stop them from cycling away to their freedoms!

SIMPLY PUT: Two Wheels, One Mission — Bicycles empowering girls in Bihar and Zambia, a call-back to 19th century Suffrage movement

<ul><li>The most acute effect has been felt by <keyword id="482983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="adolescent-girls" source="Orion">adolescent girls</keyword> aged 15-18 years, says a study by an NGO. </li><li>Adolescent girls, on an average, spend over 3.5 hours per day on <keyword id="162757" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="household-chores" source="Orion">household chores</keyword>, after the pandemic. </li><li>Adolescent girls yearned to return to school to be able to meet their peers, said a report by <keyword id="4671331" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="educate-girls" source="Orion">Educate Girls</keyword>. </li><li>Three out of four adolescent girls continue to carry the burden of household chores even after schools reopen.</li></ul>A new study conducted by Educate Girls, a non-profit organisation, reveals that the pandemic has had a deep impact on India’s adolescent girls. Not only has increased poverty taken them away from schools, they are also subjected to increased pressure of early marriage and household chores. After the pandemic, the number of hours spent on household chores for adolescent girls has increased by more than one hour a day. It now averages at over 3.5 hours per day. “The pandemic has affected both boys and girls, but the most acute effect has been felt by adolescent girls aged 15-18 years,” the study said. It has also taken them further away from schools and their peers, something that has also been aggravated by a dramatic loss of income in many households. "The findings of the study are clear - the barriers to girls' education are greater than ever before and we need to fight greater odds to ensure these girls go to school, don't drop out, and continue learning. The impact is most acute for adolescent girls. The study also highlights the stories of girls and the long-term effect the pandemic has left on their lives," says Safeena Husain, founder and board member, Educate Girls. The study was conducted between November and December 2021 in rural parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and <keyword id="6357713" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="uttar-pradesh" source="Orion">Uttar Pradesh</keyword>. It received responses from 3,200 girls and boys aged between 5-18 years. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Waking up early to do chores" comment="subhead" text="Waking up early to do chores">Waking up early to do chores</cmsannotation> School closures have taken away the ability of young girls to interact with peers. The proportion of adolescent girls not attending school (23%) was nearly double that of adolescent boys not attending school. Moreso, those who went back also continue to be burdened with increased household work – forcing them to find a balance between school and house work. “During discussions, mothers mentioned that girls are waking up earlier to complete their household tasks before school and even after. Boys on the other hand, only help when they feel like it and mothers cannot always rely on them to help out,” the report said. Three out of four adolescent girls will continue to carry the burden of household chores even when schools reopen. “Adolescent girls yearned to return to school to be able to meet their peers. As schools reopen, those who return to school will have to continue to find balance between school and household work. For many others, returning to school will require the combined effort of their community, their parents, their schools, and the government bodies operating in their ecosystems,” the report said. Even before the pandemic, things have been bad for young girls as compared to their male counterparts. Adolescent girls work as many as 120-150% more hours than boys in Indian households, quoting a 2017 report. Girls in this age group also expressed their willingness to go back to school to take a break from the household chores. “Evidence from lower-income countries where inherent gender inequalities exist points to the fact that the lockdown has resulted in an increased burden of household chores on girls,” the report said In India, the closure of 1.5 million schools in 2020 impacted around 247 million children enrolled in elementary and secondary schools. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Burden of early marriage" comment="subhead" text="Burden of early marriage">Burden of early marriage</cmsannotation> Another study by Educate Girls named <keyword id="15220655" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="girls-not-brides" source="Orion">Girls-Not-Brides</keyword> highlighted that out-of-school girls who are overburdened at home were also being forced to get married. This, the study says, would further lead to more chances of early pregnancy, domestic abuse and violence. Poverty and financial distress also led the parents to marry off their girls at an early age during Covid. According to the study, 30% of the girls participated in the survey in Uttar Pradesh were already married. In Rajasthan, there has been a significant increase in the number of marriage proposals coming to young girls. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/indian-markets-open-lower-due-to-weak-global-cues-fii-outflows-and-rupee/articleshow/94775844.cms">Indian markets open lower due to weak global cues, FII outflows and rupee</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/slowdown-hasnt-affected-deal-wins-yet-but-seeing-softness-in-long-term-deals-tcs/articleshow/94766700.cms">Slowdown hasn’t affected deal wins yet but seeing softness in long-term deals: TCS</a>

Teen girls are burdened with household chores that’s keeping them away from schools

<ul><li>Historical data suggest an annual <keyword id="6355445" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="education" source="Orion">education</keyword> inflation of 10-12%. </li><li>Start <keyword id="159805" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sips" source="Orion">SIPs</keyword> in diversified equity funds for the child's future <keyword id="132743" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="goals" source="Orion">goals</keyword>. </li><li>The goal must be periodically re-evaluated for the changing costs and inflation rate.</li></ul>The birth of your newborn is undoubtedly the happiest occasion of your life. But with great joy comes great responsibility. As a parent, you are responsible for the well being of your child and that includes providing him or her with good quality higher education. Expenses associated with education include various aspects, such as university tuition, tutoring, transportation, and accommodation charges. While there isn't a distinct inflation index for education, historical data suggests an annual inflation rate of approximately 10 to 12%. This is higher than normal inflation. To estimate the future cost of their child's education, parents can project the current course expenses by applying the mentioned inflation rate. For example, if the current cost of an engineering degree is ₹15 lakh now, 18 years later it would cost around ₹1.15 crore at 12% inflation. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Start early" comment="Subhead" text="Start early">Start early</cmsannotation> The corpus you need to build may seem very big, so it is key to start early. Starting early lets you harness the power of compounding right from day one. At birth, a child is likely to receive a lot of monetary gifts from friends and relatives. Rather than keep the cash idling away, one should use this money to kick start investing in the child’s future. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Mutual funds the way to go" comment="Subhead" text="Mutual funds the way to go">Mutual funds the way to go</cmsannotation> Mutual funds are vital for saving for a child's education due to their diversified investment options, expert management, and potential for long-term growth. “Start SIPs in diversified equity funds for the child's future goals. The child will be the beneficiary of these investments made by the legal guardian,” says Rahul Jain, president and head, Nuvama Wealth, a wealth management firm. Insurance and mutual fund companies sell ‘child plans’ which are either issuance plans or mutual fund schemes. These plans often have a ‘child’ prefix and are meant to tempt parents into investing in them. For most of them a payout is meant only when the child turns 18 years and they are designed in such a way that parents cannot touch the money before the child turns 18. But one should not fall for such schemes, since investing through mutual funds is a much better option. “Beware of schemes like 'XXX Childcare' that exploit the emotional quotient of investors, as they are often expensive investment products,” says Deepak Gagrani, Founder of MADHUBAN FINVEST. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Asset allocation is key" comment="Subhead" text="Asset allocation is key"><keyword id="151746" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="asset-allocation" source="Orion">Asset allocation</keyword> is key</cmsannotation> The principal of asset allocation applies to education as well. “In case of a girl child, one should definitely consider investing up to ₹1.5 lakhs annually in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana,” says Gagrani. The investments are eligible for deductions under Section 80C and interest income is tax free. . Otherwise, regular investments in public provident fund (PPF) is a good idea to get debt exposure. “The goal must be periodically re-evaluated for the changing costs and inflation rate. The portfolio must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure that it delivers the expected returns,” says Jain. If possible, the services of an investment advisor must be engaged.

Investing in tomorrow: A guide to securing your newborn's higher education

At Rosemead High, generations of students were harassed or groomed for sex as they tried to get an education

<ul class="summary-list"><li>While living in Germany, my daughter went to a kindergarten where her teacher only spoke German.</li><li>My daughter, immersed in the language, became my translator. </li></ul>We would live in Germany for four years. My daughter was 3 years old when we first arrived. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/got-a-tattoo-to-honor-late-husband-after-mocking-tattoos-2023-11">My husband</a> and I rented a cozy apartment in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-cities-for-expats-worst-mercer-ranking-2023-12">Heidelberg</a> near the "Platz," or city square, with its beautiful specialty shops and castle on top of a mountain. It was breathtaking.Soon after, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gabbi-tuft-daughter-still-calls-me-dad-came-out-trans-2023-11">my daughter</a> turned 4, and I looked for a kindergarten near our home. Embedded in a cobblestone neighborhood a few streets away from our home was a building with a simple sign for a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/my-twins-started-kindergarten-a-year-late-2023-8">kindergarten</a>.When my daughter enrolled, I was surprised to learn just how different it was from the schools back home in the US.<h2>Right off the bat, the German kindergarten was different</h2>In Texas, where my family lives, children attend the schools they are zoned for based on their physical addresses. That's now how it works in Germany; <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/advice-parents-college-move-in-2023-8">my daughter</a> was not assigned to any school.I also learned that no school bus would pick her up or drop her off like one might in the US. Plus, classes at this German kindergarten were only half-days, Monday through Thursday.We also had to pay for her to attend the school, whereas public kindergarten is free in the US. Snacks weren't free either; I had to pack her a snack every day.<h2>Most shockingly, my daughter could only speak German in school</h2>The biggest difference that stands out to me about my daughter's experience was that the teacher would only speak German to her — not English. All instruction and conversations would be in German. When the teacher mentioned this, my heart stopped, and I realized my little girl would have no one to help her understand what they told her during school.The difference between her experience in a German school and a US school is that our South Texas school system would have offered her a certified bilingual teacher if she couldn't speak English.In Texas, the school usually places a non-English-speaking child entering the school system with a certified bilingual-speaking teacher to help transition and translate during the school day. They continue their education with bilingual teachers until they test out at specific grade levels. A child may continue in this program for years, resulting in much slower learning and English comprehension; some never test out of the program.I was nervous to put my daughter through the German kindergarten without any extra help, but I knew the best way for her to learn the language was through immersion. With some hesitation, I said that would be OK, figuring she might catch on quickly since she was already bilingual in Spanish and English.From day one, she was immersed in German language and culture. She faced many changes simultaneously but took them all in stride. Thankfully, the teacher told me she didn't seem to be struggling.<h2>My translator was only 4 years old</h2>After school, my little girl and I often tackled pending errands such as banking or paying bills. Usually, I would get stuck trying to say what I needed to or understand what they were trying to tell me in German. I would turn to my little girl, and she would translate the primary point.At 4 years old, my daughter was my translator. She did this for about two years while I learned enough German to get by independently.Eventually, we did transfer my daughter to an American school while in Germany. When we returned to South Texas, she entered the third grade knowing three languages.<h2>The sink-or-swim method in Germany seemed to have benefited my daughter</h2>Seeing our little girl face immersion on the fly at a young age was hard for us. Now I realize it sharpened her school skills, especially adaptability, and she was always articulate in vocabulary and writing.She enjoyed participating in school activities, including band, track, and cheerleading. Making new friends always came easy to her no matter their language — she's never shied away from trying new things.Now, she's working on her doctorate in education. Her bilingual-teacher certifications and background in multilingual experience have her working with educators nationwide, instructing them on implementing multiple learning strategies with non-English-speaking children and strategically assigning her to districts experiencing an influx of immigrant children.

We moved to Germany and my 3-year-old only spoke English. She quickly became fluent in German thanks to local education.

He was my high school journalism teacher. Then I investigated his relationships with teenage girls.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Local economies across the US are enjoying the boost brought by women's spending this summer.</li><li>Their spending spanned a wide variety of objects and experiences, such as concert and movie tickets.</li></ul>Women-driven spending throughout this summer not only suggests we might have a recession-less fall but also shows the impacts of the gender pay gap slowly closing."<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/barbiecore-gen-z-millennial-fashion-statement-diversity-feminism-pink-meaning-2022-7?_gl=1*1l1m581*_ga*MzIwMjM2OTE4LjE2ODY1OTY2MTY.*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY5MjMwMTMzNS4xNTguMS4xNjkyMzAyMzM4LjU1LjAuMA..">Barbie</a>" has dominated the box office for weeks, bringing in over <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/barbie-billion-dollars-sequel-greta-gerwig-margot-robbie-ryan-gosling-2023-8?_gl=1*xw5anu*_ga*MzIwMjM2OTE4LjE2ODY1OTY2MTY.*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY5MjMwMTMzNS4xNTguMS4xNjkyMzAzNDQ2LjU0LjAuMA..">$1 billion</a>. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/beyonce-renaissance-world-tour-best-photos-opening-night-2023-5">Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour</a> has been a huge success, and according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petercohan/2023/05/08/beyonc-renaissance-tour-could-outearn-taylor-swift-eras-by-600-million/?sh=c84337b49bc7">Forbes</a>, could earn her over $2 billion by its end. And, in what <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-taylornomics-concert-eras-tour-local-economy-9fa1d492?mod=article_inline">The Wall Street Journal</a> called "Taylornomics," local economies experienced an influx of fans — and their money — when Swift came to towns on her Eras tour.The Journal reported that in Cincinnati, Ohio, spending related to Swift's tour brought in $48 million to the area. Beyoncé's touring had a similar impact internationally, with some expert economists blaming her for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/beyonce-single-handedly-increased-inflation-in-sweden-2023-6">May's inflation bump in Sweden</a>.Spending, which represents over half of the US economy, has been strong in recent months, which could help stave off a recession, Curt Long, chief economist at the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions, told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/11/american-credit-balances-spike-as-strong-spending-fends-off-recession.html">CNBC</a>.Even without this summer's hit media, some analysts have been <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/economy-stronger-than-people-thought-and-no-2023-recession-analyst-2023-8">less worried about a recession recently</a>. Chief marketing officer of National Business Capital <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nationalbusinesscapital.com/about/our-team/">Brian Chevalier-Jordan</a> told Insider that the economy is fragile, but there are signs of relief, such as lowering food prices.He also added that the pay gap between women and men is the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/03/01/gender-pay-gap-facts/">narrowest it's ever been</a>, especially among younger generations."These young women have more financial power, and they're all about the things that Generation Y and Z value: experiences and entertainment," said Chevalier-Jordan. "That's probably why we've been seeing massive box office returns from movies like 'Barbie' and two major concert tours led by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift."Statistics show that one benefit of moving toward gender equity would be its impact on the US economy — <a target="_blank" href="https://fortune.com/2023/01/04/gender-equity-impact-us-economy-2023-labor-careers-women-katica-roy/">Fortune</a> reported that closing the gender pay gap would lift 50% more women out of poverty. Overall, Fortune estimated, the economy could benefit by about $3.1 trillion if women were afforded more opportunities and equity was increased.Chevalier-Jordan said many women are in a good position to assume more power in spending as their rate of higher education completion rises."Since higher education usually means higher earnings over a lifetime, we're looking at women having an even bigger say in spending in the future," Chevalier-Jordan said.

Hot girl summer could lead the way into a recession-less fall

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Jon Hamm spoke to Business Insider about starring in the new "Mean Girls" musical remake.</li><li>The "Fargo" star said he was only on the set of the musical for one day.</li></ul>It's been nearly 20 years since audiences first fell in love with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/mean-girls-cool-details-you-never-got">Tina Fey's "Mean Girls" </a>back in 2004, and now Fey has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/mean-girls-2024-remake-trailer-mother-millennials-react-2023-11">rebooted the film for a new generation</a>.The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/mean-girls-2024-movie-cast-trailer-release-date">musical remake</a>, which is adapted from Fey's 2017 "Mean Girls" Broadway musical, features a brand new cast, including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/jon-hamm-confess-fletch-mad-men-movie-interview-2022-9">Jon Hamm</a> as the infamous Coach Carr, who teaches sex education as well as gym class.Speaking to Business Insider on Tuesday while promoting the new season of FX's "Fargo," Hamm teased what we can expect when the movie opens in January."I was only on set for literally one day. I flew into New Jersey, where they were shooting in this abandoned high school and I shot for one day," says Hamm. "So it was all very jam-packed and I won't spoil much of it, but I've seen the trailer, as you might imagine, and I've seen quite a bit of it cut together.""It's very funny, very much in the spirit of not only the original film, but also the musical, which I also saw when it was on Broadway," he adds.Anyone familiar with the 2004 movie will remember Coach Carr (played by Dwayne Hill), and his warning that teenagers shouldn't have sex because they'll get pregnant and die.Unfortunately, Hamm won't confirm if his version of Coach Carr gets to repeat Hill's iconic line."I won't tell you too much about what lines I do and don't say," says the actor. "I'll let that be a surprise for the viewers, but it's coming out soon and I hope people enjoy it."Until "Mean Girls" hits theaters in January, fans can next see Hamm in "Fargo" season five opposite Juno Temple. Hamm plays a sinister sheriff who is hunting a housewife (Temple) with a mysterious past."Fargo" season five premieres on Tuesday, November 21, at 10 p.m. on FX.

You Searched For "girl education" and got 11 results

Special Education, Inc.

Meghan Morris

My kids go to a preschool we can't afford. We chose to sacrifice our budget for their early education.

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Over 6,500 adolescent girls die giving birth every year across South Asia, says a recent study

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SIMPLY PUT: Two Wheels, One Mission — Bicycles empowering girls in Bihar and Zambia, a call-back to 19th century Suffrage movement

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Teen girls are burdened with household chores that’s keeping them away from schools

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Investing in tomorrow: A guide to securing your newborn's higher education

Anagh Pal

At Rosemead High, generations of students were harassed or groomed for sex as they tried to get an education

Matt Drange

We moved to Germany and my 3-year-old only spoke English. She quickly became fluent in German thanks to local education.

Sonia Villarreal

He was my high school journalism teacher. Then I investigated his relationships with teenage girls.

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Hot girl summer could lead the way into a recession-less fall

Sebastian Cahill

Jon Hamm teases his role in the 'Mean Girls' musical movie: 'I was only on set for one day'

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