Early Learning and School Readiness: A Worthy Investment?

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As local school systems near the end of another school year and are planning and budgeting for the 2012-2013 school year, it is imperative that an emphasis continue to be placed on early learning. While federal funds provide for Head Start for children at age three, state programs such as Georgia’s lottery provide resources for four-year-olds. But what about the years from birth to age three?

Socioeconomics play a role in early learning. And, there is a direct correlation between early learning and school readiness. Parents in low wealth families typically do not engage or have the time to be involved in their child’s development like those in higher economic levels; children from lower socioeconomic groups are often not prepared as they enter kindergarten. Exposing a toddler to technology, mathematics, music, and language has a tremendous impact on the child’s ultimate readiness for school. In China, parents truly value education; therefore, they are involved in their children’s early learning so a child is indeed prepared as he or she enters school. In our country, we need to value education, too. We need to stop balancing state budgets by cutting funds for education. Our schools must work closely with other agencies so that we can provide for all children to have appropriate opportunities. Faith-based organizations, for example, often offer pre-school programs and we need to collaborate with them and other community groups who have a direct influence on our early learners . Through establishing a culture where we value learning and by establishing developmental experiences for every child from birth, we can continue the quest for student achievement for all.

Here are some links that you may find useful information:

• eSchoolNews: Study shows long-term benefits of preschool
• Wall Street Journal: Do the Benefits of Preschool Last?
• Science Daily: Preschoolers’ Reading Skills Benefits from One Modest Change by Teachers

And here are some great websites for parents or preschool teachers to share with their preschoolers!

• Starfall
• Road to Reading
• Poisson Rouge
• Fisher Price All Toddler Games

Our contributor, Diane Sandifer

From local to state and national roles in public service, Diane Sandifer served on the Harris County Schools GA Board of Education from 1998-2008. Additionally, Diane was elected as president of the Georgia School Boards Association in 2006 and was a member of the National School Boards Association Board of Directors in 2007 and 2008. Diane advocates 21st century governance from the board room to the classroom through her passion for integration of technology as well as effective strategic planning. Diane represents school board members in statewide commissions and projects and has played an integral role in educational research through groups like the Wallace Foundation. Diane lives in Pine Mountain, Georgia and is currently the account executive for eBOARDsolutions.