This is our first post by a guest author. Lisa Travis is the YWCA Marketing Committee Chair, mother of 4-year-old Mia and 1-year-old Max, and works full-time as the Marketing Director of Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC.
As the mother of a 4-year-old, the issue of early childhood education is near and dear to my heart. And my heart beats especially fast to know that West Virginia is ahead of the curve on preschool education and the availability to all children – not just those that can afford it.
Six years ago, West Virginia state lawmakers set a benchmark that every 4-year-old would have access to pre-kindergarten by 2012. Even though these children will not be required to attend, the abundance of opportunities has been and will be made available. Just this past year, Kanawha school officials say 1,200 children were enrolled in a pre-kindergarten program and they expect that number to be around 1,500 this year.
I am hesitant about overzealous parents trying to “one up” each other and force our children into activities they either don’t want to do or aren’t ready for. But, preschool is not one of those “activities.” There is a growing amount of research that shows the importance of early brain development. According to a study by the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, every $1 spent on quality early care saves $7 to society as the children grow into adults. Children with quality early care are more likely to get more education, stay out of jail when they get older and have a greater commitment to marriage, the study indicated.
Early care and education programs, and particularly comprehensive, holistic early care and education programs, are shown to benefit communities on not only a social/educational level, but also as an economic development tool.
According to The Economic Impact of Early Child Development Programs in West Virginia: Executive Summary, prepared for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the evidence is in and it is overwhelming. The authors state, “Early childhood development (ECD) programs are a major tool to be used in the economic development for a state or region. The payoff for investing in ECD is probably higher than for any other economic development expenditure.” That’s an impressive statement. Getting our children ready for society benefits them, our community and our state.
As a working parent, I understand how hard it is to find the time to get my child ready for even the basics. Expectations in kindergarten can be tough. Preschool and quality day care can help soften that blow. Not to mention the social attributes. Just being ready for a school setting can work wonders.
The holistic approach – caring for our children with educational tools AND nutritional attributes – is one that I am pleased to see in many of the day care centers and preschools throughout the state. When looking at a child care center, I look for children that are happy, healthy and energized. I look for that in the teachers as well. I know the YWCA strives for that holistic balance at the Child Enrichment Center as well as numerous facilities throughout our community.
The most impressive thing I have encountered was my sister-in-law’s response when she learned about West Virginia’s new preschool law. As a teacher in Austin, Texas she assumed West Virginia would be at the bottom of every list – especially educational. Her proactive email to me spoke wonders. “Yeah for West Virginia! Your children really do come first.”
Six years ago, West Virginia state lawmakers set a benchmark that every 4-year-old would have access to pre-kindergarten by 2012. Even though these children will not be required to attend, the abundance of opportunities has been and will be made available. Just this past year, Kanawha school officials say 1,200 children were enrolled in a pre-kindergarten program and they expect that number to be around 1,500 this year.
I am hesitant about overzealous parents trying to “one up” each other and force our children into activities they either don’t want to do or aren’t ready for. But, preschool is not one of those “activities.” There is a growing amount of research that shows the importance of early brain development. According to a study by the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, every $1 spent on quality early care saves $7 to society as the children grow into adults. Children with quality early care are more likely to get more education, stay out of jail when they get older and have a greater commitment to marriage, the study indicated.
Early care and education programs, and particularly comprehensive, holistic early care and education programs, are shown to benefit communities on not only a social/educational level, but also as an economic development tool.
According to The Economic Impact of Early Child Development Programs in West Virginia: Executive Summary, prepared for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the evidence is in and it is overwhelming. The authors state, “Early childhood development (ECD) programs are a major tool to be used in the economic development for a state or region. The payoff for investing in ECD is probably higher than for any other economic development expenditure.” That’s an impressive statement. Getting our children ready for society benefits them, our community and our state.
As a working parent, I understand how hard it is to find the time to get my child ready for even the basics. Expectations in kindergarten can be tough. Preschool and quality day care can help soften that blow. Not to mention the social attributes. Just being ready for a school setting can work wonders.
The holistic approach – caring for our children with educational tools AND nutritional attributes – is one that I am pleased to see in many of the day care centers and preschools throughout the state. When looking at a child care center, I look for children that are happy, healthy and energized. I look for that in the teachers as well. I know the YWCA strives for that holistic balance at the Child Enrichment Center as well as numerous facilities throughout our community.
The most impressive thing I have encountered was my sister-in-law’s response when she learned about West Virginia’s new preschool law. As a teacher in Austin, Texas she assumed West Virginia would be at the bottom of every list – especially educational. Her proactive email to me spoke wonders. “Yeah for West Virginia! Your children really do come first.”
Yes, they do.
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1 comment:
@Lisa - Great guest post - thank you for sharing for folks like me with kids that will be that age very, very soon.
@Rachelle, @Laura, and all the YWCA team - way to use guest posters! Very, very smart way to add great, unique, targeted content.
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