Did you know that what children learn before kindergarten affects how well they will do in school and even what they might be when they grow up? When it comes to those early years, there are no “do-overs” – but you can help your child reach his/her promise through quality early education.
Quality early learning at home and in early learning programs (like child care, Head Start and preschool) promotes brain development and builds the skills children need for success in school and in life. Without quality early learning, children may fall behind and stay behind. With it, children who may be at risk for failing in school can overcome those risks and reach their potential.
Here are some tips to make the most of your child’s early years. Resources are available on the Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children website, www.promiseforchildren.com.
Understanding young children’s development. Children learn so much and grow so quickly in their first five years it can be hard to keep up! By learning more about those stages, you can help your child grow and thrive!
As you learn more about your child's development, please remember:
- Children need to feel safe and secure in order to learn. If they are stressed, hungry, or feel unsafe, they are not going to learn. Being with adults they can trust opens them up to a world of learning.
- Each child develops at his own pace, in their own way. Children do not reach each developmental stage at the same time. they can speed up in one area, and slow down in another.
- Although each child develops at her own pace, they all follow the same sequence. It may take one child longer than another to meet each milestone, but they will all follow the same path.
- Children learn by doing. They use their whole bodies and all their senses at once. Their brains are developing while they are moving around, which is why play is so important to a child's development.
- Children's skills build on each other. A child's learning grows based on the skills they already know, which is why early learning is so important.
Pennsylvania has developed a set of Early Learning Standards for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners that outline the different stages and what to expect at each stage, as well as a “Watch Me Grow” developmental stages checklist to help get you started.
Finding fun activities to help your child develop. When children are young, every moment is a learning experience. Young children learn through play, exploration, asking questions and trying new things. Simply talking, reading and playing with children from birth builds the language, math and social skills they need to be ready for kindergarten. Don't worry – you don't need fancy, expensive stuff to do these activities. The most important ingredient is you!
For example, in Pennsylvania’s “Learning is Everywhere” calendar, one of the activities for families in October is simply going for a walk, but as you walk with your infant, for example, note how he/she responds to different sounds and sensations outside. If you are walking with a toddler, talk with him/her about what he/she sees and ask the child to label what he/she sees, like flower, tree or bird. With a preschooler, play the game “I spy,” and with a kindergartner, you can bring a small back or basket with you and encourage the child to start a nature collection.
Choosing a quality child care/ early learning program. Choosing a child care/ early learning program is a big decision. The teachers, classmates, and learning activities will help shape what your child will become. Finding a program that is the right fit for your child will also prepare him/her for success in school and in life.
Choosing quality early learning programs like Keystone STARS, Pre-K Counts, Head Start, Early Intervention, Nurse-Family Partnership and Parent-Child Home Program provides children with good teachers and learning activities that spark creativity and a love for learning so they can grow and develop.
When visiting a program, some elements you should look for:
- A safe and healthy place for young children – the program should meet the appropriate regulations and have their certificate posted, be clean and orderly, have staff trained in first aid, and have hazardous materials locked away.
- Good teachers – Teachers have education and training in early childhood education, encourage children to safely explore and try new things, and make you and your child feel comfortable.
- Well-designed classrooms with appropriate learning activities – Classrooms need to be designed to fit the age and development level of children with activities that work best for them. The teacher prepares a daily lesson plan and uses a curriculum that is based on the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards.
- Treating families as partners in their children’s learning – Families are encouraged to visit the program any time they want. Programs should allow you to drop in at any time. If they don't, this is a red flag. The teacher should provide daily updates on your child's progress and provide you will tips and activities you can do at home.
Reach for the STARS! Child care and Head Start programs that participate in Keystone STARS meet many of these elements of quality as part of the STARS standards. Programs earn a STAR 1 – STAR 4 my meeting quality standards – the higher the STAR level, the higher the quality.
This October, celebrate quality early education in Pennsylvania and the families, teachers and leaders that help our young children reach their promise every day!
Visit www.papromiseforchildren.com for ways you can celebrate PA’s Promise for Children Month:
- Learn – get the facts on why the first five years matter so much and what your child needs to know for kindergarten;
- Get involved – find fun activities you can do with your child to help him/her develop; tips for choosing a child care/early learning program that is right for your family; and
- Tell Your Story – find tips on how to speak up for your child at the doctor’s office, child care program, and how to share your voice with leaders in your community to make a difference for all young children.
There are also fun e-cards to send to friends, family and your child’s teacher and a listing of local family events happening in your community during PA’s Promise month!
Let’s help make quality early education a priority for Pennsylvania, because every child is Pennsylvania’s future.
Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children is a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of providing Pennsylvania’s young children with quality early learning opportunities. Sponsored by the PA Build Initiative, Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys to Quality, The Grable Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, and William Penn Foundation, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).