The early years are learning years! A child’s first 5 years are a crucial window of opportunity for a successful future, both for individuals and for our community.
The brain is the foundation for all future learning, and this base is literally built and wired during infancy. Early childhood is a time of rapid cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional and motor development growth, with neural connections forming at a pace of 700 per second! The brain’s capacity for making connections for vision and hearing peak at just 4 months; for language at 9 months; and for higher cognitive functions at 1 year.
The very architecture of our brains – and even our long term physical health and well-being – is significantly shaped by our earliest experiences. Genes are only part of the story. So, keeping in mind how early experiences actually build brains, think about the many children in our community who do not receive the high-quality early education, support, nourishment, and interactions with caring adults that they so desperately need. It’s easy to understand how the achievement gap is evident long before children start school.
However, it is also during this time that there is the greatest opportunity to make the most powerful impact that will change the trajectory of a child’s path. You can make that impact today with your gift to the Partnership!
