Early learning facilities benefit children for life
Preschool for all children. That is what President Obama proposed Feb. 12 in his State of the Union address.
The president said, “In states that make it a priority to educate our youngest children … studies show students grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school, hold a job, form more stable families of their own.
“We know this works. So let's do what works and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind.”
The president announced he would like to expand the programs so more children can attend early learning facilities. They need to be set up to prepare children for kindergarten and their school years ahead.
Lee Williams, chairman for elementary and early children education at Slippery Rock University, said about Obama's plans, “I feel positive about it as long as it's implemented correctly.”
The plan consists of expanding access to early childhood education and providing a higher quality education to the children.
Judith Zuzack, director of the Children's Creative Learning Center at Butler County Community College, said “I think that he has some very lofty goals.
“I think it is very important to have kids in early childhood learning, and if they are followed through correctly, they could greatly benefit children.”
Zuzack, who has a bachelor's in elementary education and master's in early childhood education from Indiana (Pa.) University, believes strongly in early childhood development.
“It is crucial to childhood development, especially brain development; birth to 5-years-old determine how successful they are in life,” said Zuzack.
Both women agree it is important to get children in early learning facilities and that children in these facilities can benefit from preschool.
“We want all kids to be ready for school,” Williams said.
“This is the age when children learn social development, following routines, language development and pre-reading skills,” said Zuzack.
If the plan to have more children in early development programs is put into effect, then some facilities will have to develop new agendas.
Zuzack said, “We will continue doing what we are doing. If there are changes on the requirements of kids, then we will change to fulfill them.”
The cost of having more children in facilities also is something the government has to deal with. If this plan goes into effect, schools will have to meet certain standards to receive funds from the government.Zuzack said her facility is funded by private pay parents, Child Care Information Services and BC3 supplements. The Children's Creative Learning Center also is a Keystone star school that has earned a four-star rating, allowing it to get grant money from the government.Preschools will have to meet state standards and implement a way to assess the students' comprehension levels to receive grants.SRU's Williams said, “For every dollar we invest in early education, we will see that come back tenfold.”But there is some concern over the development of these programs and how the children will be affected.“They need programs that are comprehensive,” Williams said. “Children don't all develop the same way. Kids are different, so programs have to be different to accommodate the child's needs.”Both women agree that early childhood development programs greatly benefit children and the way they develop throughout their school years.They also help them as grown ups.“It makes students become better adults,” Williams said.Zuzack said, “We are touching the future when we help children”
