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In today's busy world, many families seek care outside the home for
their children from birth to age four. These experiences are known to
have a direct impact on the child's ability to learn. Quality care
includes healthy, safe environments for children with trained teachers,
providers, and staff offering consistent, positive, responsive
interactions with the children while focusing on creative, varied,
age-appropriate learning activities.
Considering that 90% of a child's brain develops during the first
three years of life, quality child care from birth can affect the kind
of learner a child becomes. Quality care is an investment
in your child for the future and, in a much larger sense, an investment
in the future of your neighborhood, your community and, your society at
large.
The people who spend the most time with children during these early
years--their parents and child care providers--greatly affect a child's
development. Everyday experiences in a child's life are learning
opportunities and can be taken advantage of and enhanced by parents and
caregivers. A child's physical, nutritional, emotional, and social
development--most of which occurs at home or in child care--are as
important as his or her academic development.
School Readiness
It's never too early to start thinking about school readiness for your
child. Mom's healthy habits during the prenatal period can impact early
brain development and help lay the groundwork for a healthy childhood.
After birth, families can provide opportunities for their child to
participate in positive early learning and development experiences.
These positive experiences include:
- The consistent presence of at least one caring, supportive, adult
- Positive interaction on a consistent basis with that caring adult
- Effective, consistent and positive discipline
- Opportunity to learn through exploration
- Support in mastering skills at their own pace and in their own style
- Exposure to developmentally appropriate toys, books, and games
- Opportunities to interact with other children socially
Children who have had these early learning experiences demonstrate
improved problem solving skills, motivation, and academic achievement
once they reach school.
Children entering kindergarten with skills they need to succeed are
more likely to graduate from high school and become productive workers.
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