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Prominent
brain research shows that the early years of life
provide the best opportunity to influence a child’s
moral, intellectual and physical growth. |
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Other
studies have shown that when a child has high quality
early childhood experiences, there is a reduced
need for special education and welfare programs.
Children with good early childhood experiences are
less likely to end up in the criminal justice system.
(High/Scope Foundation) |
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If
a child begins school without quality early experiences,
it is difficult – if not impossible –
to catch up. |
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Children
with high quality early childhood experiences start
school ready to learn. They are more likely to graduate
from high school, go to college and be productive
members of the workforce. (High/Scope Foundation) |
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The
key to harnessing each child’s potential is
the environment. Children need enriching experiences.
They need to have their senses stimulated through
music, books, toys and especially people who love
them. |
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Early
education does NOT mean that young children should
learn to read early or be drilled with flash cards.
Early childhood is the time to build the foundation
for learning. |
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Early
learning programs are dramatically under funded.
Many child care programs depend on bake sales and
other fundraisers to keep their doors open. Parents
often pay more for early care and education than
they do for college. |
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Early
care includes proper health care, nutrition and
supervision. It is important that all children receive
regular check-ups and immunizations as well as nutritionally
balanced meals. Children also need safe, caring
supervision while learning through play. |
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Many
children are still not covered by health insurance,
which means they are unable to access preventative
health care and screening. In West Virginia, over
10% of the children or approximately 43,000 still
do not have insurance. |
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Despite
recent improvements, many children still do not
have all of their recommended immunizations. In
West Virginia, 25.4% of the two-year-olds are still
missing one or more of their recommended immunizations.
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Injuries
are a major cause of childhood emergency department
admissions and are the leading cause of death in
children. The types of trauma that cause death in
children are motor-vehicle accidents, drowning,
fires/burns, suffocation and choking, firearms,
falls and poisonings. (National Safety Council,
the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
and other sources) |
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Everyone
in the community has a role to play in helping our
future citizens get a good start; it cannot be accomplished
by parents alone. |
