“The development of the unique features of speech and fine motor function
occurs almost exclusively during the period from birth until three years
of age as a result of the abundance of neurons (brain cells) that exist
at this pivotal time; accordingly, to maximize learning opportunities,
it is imperative that all children receive the highest level of attention
during this narrow and irreplaceable ‘Window of Opportunity.’”
– Dr. Henry Foster
Professor Emeritus and former Dean
School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College
And Clinical Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology Vanderbilt University
The Early Childhood Education Scholarship Initiative seeks to transform the lives of children who risk entering the public school system at an educational and behavioral deficit that will forever hamper their ability to learn and to succeed in school and in life. The Community Foundation’s goal is to make a difference in the lives of children by capitalizing upon the “Window of Opportunity.” In the pilot phase of the Early Childhood Education Scholarship Initiative, scholarships are being provided in Davidson County, Tennessee.
This initiative came to fruition through the dedicated work of civic leader Nelson Andrews. Read Nelson Andrews' Case for Early Childhood Education.
OUR
COMMUNITY’S CHALLENGE
Every year too many of our children show up on the doorsteps of our
schools ill-equipped to learn, unable to succeed. Why? Often, until
that moment, learning and “playing well with others” have
not been a priority in their lives. Sometimes they’ve never
seen a book; sometimes their days have been filled with TV rather
than human interaction. As a result, our children and our schools
are suffering.
- Almost one-third of our young people do not graduate from high
school.
- Dropouts are at risk for higher rates of incarceration,
unemployment, and physical and mental health problems.
- We are investing most of our resources too late, decreasing the chances of success.
WHAT WE PROPOSE
The Community Foundation is working to create a foundation for children’s
future learning, behavior and health, particularly for children who
are at risk. The Early Childhood Education Scholarship Initiative partners
with Early Childhood Education centers which have achieved Three-Star
Certification from the State. These centers have a proven track-record
of successful learning programs and strong parental involvement.
Our goal is to provide quality educational settings to children from birth until they are old enough to enter the Governor’s Pre-K program. The majority of children in the scholarship program are children of the “working poor,” a designation for families earning between $18,000 and $24,000 annually. These are families who earn too much to receive financial assistance from the State, but for whom quality care would be nearly impossible to afford.
We will also assist families where without this help, a parent would have to leave school or quit work to keep their child safe and secure. This is a key factor in reducing the cycle of poverty.
It is our pledge to every child receiving a scholarship that we will see them through until they reach the Governor’s Pre-K program at four years old. The continuity of high quality early childhood education for these children will be an investment that yields untold rewards.
CONSIDER THE LEARNING PROCESS AS AN ASSEMBLY LINE
Our first reaction is often to think the assembly line is broken in high school, where dropouts occur. Although there is dramatic evidence of the failed system in high school, it is not when the break occurs, and therefore, not the point at which it can be fixed.
As we look at the assembly line of the learning process more closely, we realize the following:
- If a child does not read with a reasonable degree of comprehension
at the end of the third grade, the likelihood of that child becoming
a dropout is over 90%. Simply put, if a child cannot read, she/he
cannot learn.
- If we move even further toward the beginning of the assembly line, we find that children unprepared for kindergarten often don’t achieve reading comprehension by the third grade and are destined for dropout status. For these children, kindergarten is too late.
Scientific studies show that from birth to age four – and particularly in the first 18 months – children rapidly develop the critical capabilities which become the foundation for their subsequent development.
In fact, 90% of the architectural structure of the brain is built in the first three years of life. With proper stimulation and learning opportunities, the gains children can make in language and thinking skills, and in the growth of their emotional, social, behavioral, and moral capacities are remarkable. But without such brain development, scientists tell us that they will miss a “window of opportunity” that closes forever as they leave those early years.
Make a gift to the Early Childhood Education Initiative.
For more information, contact The Community Foundation at 615-321-4939. Learn more, or visit www.GivingMatters.com to learn about nonprofits serving this need.
