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.
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 | EP5 | "Every Child is Different"
Every child has their own pace and journey. In this episode, we’ll celebrate the uniqueness of every child’s development path and remind parents that, no matter the challenges, they are not alone in this journey.
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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Host Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer is joined by University of Chicago Professor James Heckman and Alison Baulos, Executive Director for The Center for the Economics of Human Development at the University of Chicago. Professor Heckman is the Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Director of The Center for the Economics of Human Development at the University of Chicago. He received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2000 for pioneering methods to evaluate social programs and account for selection bias in policy research. Their conversation centers on the long-term economic and social benefits of investing in early childhood development, particularly in the first 1,000 days of life. -
In this episode, Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer speaks with Dr. Amber Brooks, Division Vice President of Operations at Bright Horizons, about the critical role of early childhood education, particularly in the first 1,000 days of life. They discuss Bright Horizons' whole-child approach to development, including hands-on learning, family engagement, and research-backed programs like Inner Explorer, which teaches mindfulness and emotional regulation. A major focus of this episode is placed on screen time. Its risks, benefits, and how to use it responsibly. This episode emphasizes fostering “serve and return” interactions to support language and cognitive development, urging families to use technology intentionally and interactively. -
In this episode of Building Blocks, Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer speaks with Chuck Roberts, President and CEO of Lakeshore Public Media, about the origin, impact, and future of the Building Blocks multimedia project. Roberts shares how his past experiences shaped his passion for early childhood development and how that passion led to the collaboration between Lakeshore Public Media and First Things First Porter County.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy96X2Kzc0s&t=2s
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.
