Key facts about your child’s early development:
A child’s brain develops 80% of its capacity by the time he or she reaches the age of three. By five, their brains have developed 90% of their capacity. Many parents just don’t realize how important it is for them to read to, sing to, and talk to their young children. Many assume their child’s education starts at kindergarten, when in actuality, it needs to start long before.
If a child enters kindergarten behind, their chances of reading on grade level by third grade are much slimmer. If that child isn’t reading on grade level by third grade, it becomes much less likely they will graduate high school.
It’s clear that a child’s education needs to start at birth.
Why is early learning important in our community?
According to Get Georgia Reading, two-thirds of Georgia’s third graders are not reading on grade level, bringing long-term negative consequences to these children, their families, their communities, and the state as a whole.¹
We have to change that number.
Expanding early learning, including the social, emotional, and intellectual development of children from birth to age 5, gives a return on investment of $8.60 for every $1.00 spent through lower crime rates, fewer single parent homes, higher education level, and higher individual earnings.²
An investment in early learning will improve lives, empower families, and transform our community.
¹ Homepage, Get Georgia Reading, n.d., Web 13 April 2017. http://getgeorgiareading.org/
² U.S. Department of Education. (2015). A matter of equity: preschool in America. Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/documents/early-learning/matter-equity-preschool-america.pdf
Ways to Support Your Child’s Early Learning:
The most important thing a child needs to thrive is an environment of positive, engaging, loving, and caring relationships with adults, including family members and childcare providers.
There are many easy activities you can do to help your young child develop the skills that will be critical as he grows up: language and communication, thinking, self-control, and self-confidence. Here are some practices to start at home.
What you can do to help your child’s language and communication:
- Watch and listen to see how your baby communicates.
- Repeat the sounds and words your child uses and have back-and-forth interactions.
- Read, sing, and tell stories.
- Talk about what you do together—describing everything that’s happening.
What you can do to help your child’s thinking:
- Encourage your child to explore toys in new ways, by touching, banging, stacking, shaking, and more.
- Turn everyday routines into playful learning moments.
- Follow your child’s interests.
- Ask your child questions that get him thinking as he nears age three.
What you can do to help your child’s self-control:
- Use words to help your child understand his feelings.
- Give choices to older toddlers.
- Stay calm when your child is upset to help him feel safe and get back in control.
What you can do to help your child’s self-confidence:
- Comment on what your child does well.
- Help your child be a good problem-solver by giving her support she needs without completely solving problems for her.
- Give your child the chance to do things for herself.
- Encourage your child to keep trying.
For more guidance like this on how you can support your child in his or her critical years, visit https://www.zerotothree.org/.