"We know from research and experience that children who start
behind, stay behind." Dr. Elanna
Yalow, Executive Vice President of Knowledge Universe-US (full
article)
Study after study proves that Early Childhood Education is an
integral part of helping our children to develop a love of learning.
Below is an excerpt from Knowledge Universe (a firm dedicated to
analyzing key trends in educational research). This study was
focused on "Early Childhood Education: A Benchmark for Long-Term
Success", and discovered the following:
82 percent of teachers surveyed in the U.S. agree that children who
participate in early childhood education have a distinct advantage
throughout their academic career.
Nearly all kindergarten and first grade teachers agree that children
who participate in early childhood education are better prepared (94
percent agree) and more successful (92 percent agree) in early
grades.
An overwhelming majority of kindergarten and first grade teachers
(88 percent or more) agree that early childhood education prepares
children for elementary school across a range of outcomes, including
building self-confidence, instilling knowledge of letters and
numbers, teaching children how to socialize and share, and
encouraging group participation.
Four of five teachers (77%) say they do not agree with the statement
that children who participate in early childhood education grow up
too fast; two thirds (67%) say they do not agree with the statement
that young children thrive more in a non-structured environment.
Only 31 percent of kindergarten and first grade educators believe
that young children should be exclusively at home in a one-on-one
environment during the early learning years