Early Childhood

The first five years of a child’s life can be very important.  According to The Ounce of Prevention at-risk children who don't receive a high-quality early childhood education are:

• 25% more likely to drop out of school

• 40% more likely to become a teen parent

• 50% more likely to be placed in special education

• 60% more likely to never attend college

• 70% more likely to be arrested for a violent crime

By the age of 3 a child’s brain is 90% developed.  How their brain functions for life is shaped in those early experiences.  Once the brain has developed it takes serious intervention to reprogram the original learned behavior. 

Below are a few of my favorite resources to help parents, providers and anyone interested in early childhood to learn how to better shape and support these young minds.  The internet is full of information and can be overwhelming. 

Information:

The Ounce of Prevention Fund

Zero to Three (National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families)

Baby Brain Map

Little Kids, Big Questions: A Parenting Podcast Series 

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

NAEYC for Families

Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy

Smart Start Oklahoma

For More Information about Early Childhood Contact:

Marama Bayles

OKPTA Early Childhood Chair

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