Speaker A
I want to be a doctor when I grow up, so I can help people get better and a mommy and a ballerina.
Early childhood education is crucial for lifelong success, closing achievement gaps, and benefiting individuals and communities.
Key Takeaways
- Early childhood education is foundational for academic and lifelong success.
- High-quality preschool programs reduce achievement gaps, especially for low-income children.
- Sustained learning from ages 3 to grade 3 is necessary to maintain preschool benefits.
- Investing in early education yields significant economic and social returns.
- Equal access to early learning opportunities is critical for all children to thrive.
Summary
- Early childhood education shapes lifelong outcomes and helps children achieve their dreams.
- Preschool is about purposeful play that develops critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration skills.
- Only 30% of four-year-olds attend high-quality preschool programs, contributing to the achievement gap.
- The achievement gap begins as an opportunity gap, with low-income children falling behind by 18 months by age four.
- High-quality early childhood programs can close up to 50% of the achievement gap.
- A strong continuum of learning from age three to grade three is essential to sustain early gains.
- Early childhood education benefits individuals, communities, and the economy, saving $7 for every $1 invested.
- Providing equal early learning opportunities helps level the playing field for all children.
- The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents advocates for continuous early childhood education in Connecticut.
- Investing in early education prepares children for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker B
What happens early matters for a lifetime, as parents, educators, and legislators, we need to provide a strong continuum of early childhood education so all children have the opportunities and skills to achieve their dreams.
Speaker A
I'm in Miss Smith's preschool class. I like to have fun when I learn. I like to work in groups with my friends. We take turns and help each other figure stuff out.
Speaker B
As we just heard from Jackie, preschool is not just about ABCs, 123s and colors, it's about developing critical thinking, problem solving, and fine motor skills and learning how to collaborate.
Speaker B
It's not just play.
Speaker B
It's purposeful play.
Speaker B
Sadly, only 30% of four-year-olds are enrolled in a high-quality program that prepares them for kindergarten.
Speaker B
This is where the achievement gap begins.
Speaker A
My friend Michael doesn't go to preschool.
Speaker A
I think that's no fair.
Speaker B
The best way to narrow the achievement gap is to prevent it from forming.
Speaker B
High-quality early childhood programs that have the potential to level the playing field for low-income children and prepare them for success throughout their school years are essential.
Speaker B
Yet, they lack funding and reach few.
Speaker B
The achievement gap starts out as an opportunity gap.
Speaker B
Researchers have found that by age four, low-income children who cannot access high-quality early childhood programs are already 18 months behind their more advantaged peers.
Speaker B
But there is hope.
Speaker B
Researchers have found that as much as 50% of the achievement gap can be closed by effective early learning.
Speaker A
Next year, I'm going to have Mr. Jones as my kindergarten teacher. I'll be in school all day, just like my big brother Sam.
Speaker A
I think my fish Bubbles might miss me, but I can't wait to learn how to read.
Speaker B
It's not just about preschool preparing Jackie for kindergarten, it's about ensuring she has an effective pathway for learning so she's great by eight.
Speaker B
Without a strong continuum of early childhood learning from age three to grade three, the gains children make from high-quality preschool start to go away and eventually fade out.
Speaker A
My brother Sam is eight and three quarters. He's really cool and smart.
Speaker A
I love it when he reads me books because he's such a good reader. When he plays math games on the computer, he can get to the millionth level.
Speaker B
Sam is so successful because he has reaped the benefits of a strong continuum of early childhood learning.
Speaker B
Providing early childhood education opportunities is good for the individual, the community, and the economy.
Speaker B
Did you know that we save $7 for every dollar invested in early childhood education?
Speaker B
Anyone can see this is a no-brainer.
Speaker B
Every child deserves the same opportunities as Jackie and Sam.
Speaker B
A strong start equips students with the skills they need to pursue their dreams.
Speaker A
On second thought, I think I want to be an astronaut.
Speaker C
This video is brought to you by the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents.
Speaker C
The association supports a strong continuum of early childhood education from age three to grade three for every child in Connecticut.
Topics:early childhood educationachievement gappreschoolhigh-quality programskindergarten readinesscontinuum of learningpublic school superintendentsConnecticut educationearly learning benefitseducation investment
