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Early Learning Shapes K-12 Readiness

Dr. Mike Ewton
February 1, 2025

Earlier this month, I was invited to join childcare providers and community partners at a regional meeting of the Georgia Child Care Association hosted at The Friendship House in Dalton. The room was filled with preschool educators, program administrators, local industry partners, representatives from our local school systems, and team members from local nonprofit organizations who directly support early learning in the community. The facilitator, who travels around the state to hold these town hall meetings, commented that it was one of the largest and most diverse community gatherings she had led. This speaks volumes about our community’s dedication to helping the next generation succeed. 

Early education is the foundation for success.  Research shows that programs, such as Pre-Kindergarten, Head Start, and quality daycare environments, provide children with essential skills that set the stage for academic and social development. The first few years of a child’s life are a period of rapid brain development, with the vast majority of the brain’s architecture established by age five. During this time, exploration, interaction, and play stimulate neural connections in children's brains, forming the foundation for learning.

High-quality daycare and early learning programs capitalize on this window of opportunity by providing structured environments where children engage in activities that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. From storytelling sessions that build language and skills that form the basis for literacy to collaborative play that encourages teamwork, these experiences shape children’s abilities to navigate the classroom and connect with peers.

Children who attend high-quality daycare and early learning programs enter kindergarten with stronger pre-literacy and math skills, better self-regulation, and greater confidence in their learning ability. These skills give them a head start in mastering academic and social challenges. A child exposed to early math concepts like counting and sorting will likely feel more comfortable tackling addition and subtraction in kindergarten. Similarly, children who have practiced sharing, taking turns, and following instructions are better equipped to adapt to the structured routines of a classroom.

Additionally, early interventions help reduce achievement gaps by providing all children with enriching early learning opportunities, regardless of socioeconomic background. Quality daycare and preschool programs rely on skilled educators who create nurturing environments that balance structured activities with free play, fostering both academic and emotional growth. Parents also play a vital role by reading, engaging in conversations, and encouraging curiosity at home, reinforcing the benefits of early education.

Investing in early childhood education yields long-term benefits for our community and society. Children who attend early learning programs are more likely to graduate from high school, pursue higher education, and contribute positively to the workforce. These programs often reduce the need for costly interventions later in life, such as remedial education or juvenile justice services. 

Although the benefits of early learning are clear, access to these programs remains a challenge for many families. Limited availability, cost, and inconsistent quality standards can often create barriers for families. Our community is not immune to these challenges, but collaboration in finding solutions sets this community apart from many others. We should all be proud that leaders from various sectors are working together to find solutions that benefit families, the local workforce, and, most importantly, our youngest students.