Early childhood development matters
The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for their development.
During this time, their brains are rapidly forming connections that will shape their learning, behavior and health for the rest of their lives. This is why investing in early childhood development is so important — it sets the stage for a child’s future success.
A recent initiative from Alignment Rockford highlights the importance of early childhood development and details an initiative called Ready to Learn, which aims to support parents and caregivers in Rockford.
This initiative is based on research and uses the Early Development Instrument (EDI) to measure kindergarten readiness. Some of the ways the Ready to Learn initiative helps parents include providing resources and information, and connecting them to programs and experts.
But what does this mean for you and your child? Here are a few key takeaways:
● The brain is built to learn through play. From exploring the world around them to interacting with others, play is essential for a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional
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development.
● Early childhood development is not just about academics. It’s also about developing important life skills such as communication, problem-solving and self-regulation.
● There are many resources available to help you support your child’s development. These resources can include books, websites and community programs. Week of the Young Child is celebrated in April. This year, Birth to Five Illinois is co-hosting a free resource fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 13, at the Northwest Community Center, 1325 N. Johnston Ave., in Rockford. This is a fantastic opportunity to:
● Engage in playful activities that will make your child smile and learn.
● Discover valuable resources happy and healthy child.
● Connect with other parents and caregivers who share your commitment to early childhood development. Other ways to get involved include:
● Visit Birth to Five Illinois to learn more about our work in the Region.
● Explore the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) website for a wealth of information to help you raise a on early childhood development.
● Explore Alignment Rockford to review the Ready to Learn initiative.
● Get involved in your community and advocate for policies that support early childhood education.
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children.