Hula Hooping with Harkin and Giggling with Gillibrand

The best part about working here at the NWLC is that every so often, I get to venture outside of the office and do something really fun and different with part of my day. Yesterday, instead of my usual commute, I headed down to the Capitol to play a life-size game of Chutes & Ladders with some really adorable children, truly inspirational members of Congress, and early education advocates.

As our own Helen Blank notes in her Huffington Post piece, the sequester has caused 57,000 children to lose out on access to Head Start, and many families lack high-quality early learning in their communities. Stories collected by the National Women’s Law Center and members of the Strong Start campaign that were distributed to Senators today make it clear that a positive early education experience benefits children and families throughout their lives.

This morning’s event gave us a chance to put some really adorable faces on the lives that laws involving early education touch.

All photos courtesy Jeffrey Martin.

Senator Mazie Hironi, and Representatives Rosa DeLauro and George Miller talk with Jack about the importance of early education.

Congresswoman DeLauro and Sebastian work on their hula-hooping skills.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and members of MomsRising play Chutes & Ladders.

Senator Tom Harkin showing off his enthusiasm for early learning!

Senator Bob Casey gets the scoop on how to play the game from some advocates.

Senator Tim Kaine helps explain how equal access to early education helps children climb the ladder to success.