Building Brain Power: Infants & Toddlers need connection

As a Mental Health Specialist at Rainbows United, I have the privilege of working with children ages birth to 3 and their families. I often stress the importance of building attachment or connection with children in order to decrease unwanted behaviors. While this is true, in this article I want to elaborate on the importance […]
Dottie is a baby, not a diagnosis
Dear Rainbows, Dottie was born November 8th, 2019 with a surprise diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Although my husband and I weren’t burdened by the diagnosis… the onslaught of potential heart, thyroid, feeding problems threw us both into temporary despair. Dottie had a major heart defect that was corrected in July 2020. Thank the Lord! And […]
Thank You Textron Aviation Interns
Thank you to Textron Aviation Interns who volunteered to stain the fence, prune the rose bushes and weed the Fisher Boy garden at Kids’ Cove. These Interns came from all over the United States and chose to help Rainbows! We appreciate you.
Michelle Eastman, Women Who Lead

Originally published by Wichita Business Journal, May 25, 2021 Women Who Lead: Marketing and Communications How did you become involved in marketing and communications? I don’t remember a time when I didn’t love color, fonts, and creating in 3D. From my Iowa high school yearbook to designing advertisements to experiencing other cultures and now championing children […]
Nurturing Grace

“I will always be indebted to all the Rainbows’ staff who have shared advice and assistance with me. They have encouraged Grace to meet her gross/fine motor skills, feeding abilities, attachment and bonding, social and cognitive developmental milestones, and helped me meet her needs for care such as getting her dressed and diaper changes,” said […]
The Correlation Between Social/Emotional Skills and Academic Success

Over the past several years, there has been mounting evidence that shows the correlation between social emotional skills, self-regulation skills and academic achievement. For many years, so much attention had been placed on cognitive development, academic performance, “No Child Left Behind” standards, without truly emphasizing the importance of teaching social, emotional and self-regulation skills first. […]
Lights, Camera, Graduation!

Lights, Camera, Graduation! The theme for Pre-K Graduation this year was a red carpet celebration of achievements. In a year that has been remarkably different than most of us have ever known, I wondered what the ceremony had in store for everyone. The answer is it had a little bit of everything, in all the […]
Top 5 Questions About Hearing Health

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, which raises awareness about communication disorders, such as hearing loss and speech disorders. As Rainbows’ Audiologist, I enjoy educating our families about the importance of hearing during early intervention services. It’s encouraging to leave a home visit knowing our families have a better understanding of the value of […]
As working parents, we trust Rainbows’ care

Isaac Paul Louis Anaya III “Louie” is named after his grandpa and daddy. Their birthdays are even consecutive (Grandpa-December 4, Daddy-December 5 and Louie-December 6). “You will never meet another 5-year-old with faster comebacks or funnier one-liners; he is our little comedian,” said Amanda, Louie’s mother. The family’s first experience with Rainbows was a premie […]
Paula Madsen, Assistant Teacher

Kids’ Point Assistant Teacher Paula Madsen says, “Developing relationships with our children and their families has been my biggest achievement at Rainbows.” Paula received her Associate’s Degree in Child Care and Guidance from Barton County Community. She brings 18 years of experience serving children with special needs, latchkey programs and teaching infants and toddlers with […]