Nov 21, 2024 · Early Childhood Education & Care Department

ECECD�s �The Early Show with Alax� wins a regional Emmy

The puppet show delivers educational content for adults, while also delighting young children

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2024

CONTACT

Julia Sclafani

Public Relations Specialist

Email: julia.sclafani@ececd.nm.gov

Mobile: (505) 699-5937

1120 Paseo De Peralta

Santa Fe, NM 87501

nmececd.org

The puppet show delivers educational content for adults, while also delighting young children

SANTA FE, NM – The Early Childhood Education and Care Department’s (ECECD) YouTube series, “ The Early Show with Alax ,” received a prestigious regional Emmy Award from the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences last week.

The show, which engages parents and caregivers on topics relating to early childhood development and raising young children, earned recognition in the education content category at an awards ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 16 in Phoenix.

“I love Alax! It’s great that ‘The Early Show’ has been a hit with New Mexico families,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham . “Our Early Childhood Education and Care Department has become a national leader in providing quality early childhood programs since it was established just four years ago. Winning an Emmy is another well-deserved recognition of these efforts.”

“At ECECD, we are building a family-centered, high-quality, prenatal-to-5 system focused on innovation,” said ECECD Sec. Elizabeth Groginsky . “This Emmy win is a huge honor and recognition of that effort. We are so proud of Alax! The show and its success highlight our work to engage New Mexico families in a fun and judgement-free way about topics and resources relevant to raising our youngest New Mexicans.”

“The Early Show with Alax” got its start in 2023, developed by ECECD’s partner, MediaDesk, a New Mexico-based creative agency, and with support from Film Nest Studios. The third season of “The Early Show with Alax!” is anticipated next spring.

“This Emmy is an encouraging message to keep going,” said Sommer Betlej, creative director at MediaDesk and the show’s founder. “Alax always says, ‘They say it takes a village, but I say it takes a galaxy!’ And that’s true— we’re glad to keep being that galaxy for New Mexico families.”

The show delivers ECECD’s educational messaging and early childhood resources to New Mexico families, emphasizing creativity and surprise. The show’s host, Alax, an intergalactic ambassador of care, interviews experts and learns alongside parents and caregivers while incorporating humor and showing that it’s OK for adults not to have all the answers. The series covers a wide range of topics relevant to adults raising young children including safe sleep, the importance of play, language development and literacy, milestones, fatherhood, pregnancy, and PreK.

Alax is performed in both English and Spanish by Santa Fe-based puppeteer Devon Hawkes Ludlow. In addition to MediaDesk and Film Nest Studios, the show is backed by a research team that includes New Mexico PBS, the University of New Mexico (UNM) Cradle to Career Policy Institute, and the UNM Family Development Program.

All episodes of “The Early Show with Alax,” including a series of “Ask Alax” shorts, are available on YouTube: youtube.com/@EarlyShowAlax . For more information visit: TheEarlyShow.org

Click here for the Alax visual asset library

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About ECECD

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham launched the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department ( ECECD ) in 2020, making New Mexico among the first states to consolidate all early childhood programs and services under a single cabinet-level agency. Under this administration, ECECD has led the nation by expanding access to free New Mexico PreK, overseeing the largest investment in early childhood infrastructure in state history, and implementing cost-free child care for a majority of New Mexico families. Learn more about how ECECD supports children, families, and the early childhood professionals that serve our communities at nmececd.org . On Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram as @NewMexicoECECD.

About MediaDesk

MediaDesk is a creative agency focused on serving the nonprofit and public sectors. The agency provides communications services including strategic messaging, campaign development and management, video production, website development, and graphic design.

About Film Nest Studios

Film Nest Studios , a film production company based in Santa Fe New Mexico, brings together three film professionals with over 50 years of combined experience.

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