Lakeshore’s “Building Blocks” initiative is a comprehensive multimedia project dedicated to exploring the science of early childhood development and addressing the challenges faced by families in Northwest Indiana. Through television, radio, digital platforms, and community events, the initiative aims to elevate the importance of high-quality early learning and provide essential resources to families with young children.
The third episode of Building Blocks is set to premiere on April 30th, 2025 at 8 PM!
Donate to The Building Blocks Matching Fund
Lakeshore received a $100,000 matching grant from Legacy Foundation to support our Building Blocks initiative! All donations to this fund will be eligible for a $1-for-$1 match, and 25% of the funds will be invested in an endowment at Legacy Foundation to provide ongoing support for the Building Blocks program and Lakeshore's educational initiatives for many years to come. Donate Now!
Watch Building Blocks: The TV Show
Building Blocks | EP2 "Early Relational Health"
Relationships - nothing affects us more. Our early interactions with those closest to us inform our emotional and physical well-being throughout our lives. Building Blocks: Early Relational Health encourages parents to explore everyday opportunities to form strong, resilient attachments with their children and feel confident in their parenting role. When we strengthen relationships we strengthen families and, ultimately, our community.
Building Blocks | EP1 "The "Whole" Child"
Building Blocks explores the crucial first one-thousand days of childhood development. Filled with personal accounts and professional knowledge, episode one balances the ideas of relational health, physical health, cognitive development and early intervention; all contributing to the "whole child".
Watch & Listen Building Blocks: The Podcast
This podcast will take a deep dive into the early stages of childhood development and beyond. Host Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer of First Things First Porter County will converse with local experts, parents, and practitioners about the building blocks for brain and language development. Tune in to learn more about how Northwest Indiana is serving families and young children!
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In this episode of Building Blocks: The Podcast, Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer sits down with Payton Summers from Help Me Grow Porter County to explore the vital role of resource referral services in supporting families with young children.Summers shares insights on navigating the complex web of community resources, the importance of early childhood screenings, and how a simple phone call can make a world of difference for parents in need. -
On this episode of Building Blocks: The Podcast, we sit down with Hadassah Moore, a new mother, to discuss the highs, lows, and unexpected realities of early motherhood. From the joys of welcoming her child to the struggles of postpartum anxiety and attachment, Hadassah shares her honest and emotional journey. She opens up about seeking support, the challenges of balancing work and family, and the lessons she’s learned along the way -
In this special episode, Chuck Roberts, President and CEO of Lakeshore Public Media, traveled to the Statehouse for Indiana Early Childhood Education Day to have conversations with folks from across the state working in early childhood development. The day at the Capitol was organized by Indiana AEYC and the Early Education Works Coalition, this event united educators, parents, and policymakers to advocate for policies supporting children and families.This episode will explore the vital role of early learning, the economic impact of childcare, policy changes needed to strengthen early education in Indiana, and much more. Hear from experts, advocates, and business leaders working to expand high-quality early learning opportunities for all.
The Building Blocks initiative would not be possible without the expertise and guidance of co-producer Mary Jane Eisenhauer of First Things First Porter County, the support of the Legacy Foundation, Purdue University Northwest, Porter County Community Foundation, and Lakeshore Board Member, Susan Eleuterio and her husband, Tom Sourlis.
