EARLY LEARNING

learning begins early

The first five years in a child�s life are crucial to his or her future success in school and in life. Because 90% of brain development occurs in the first five years, it is vital that children have opportunities for positive early learning experiences and safe, nurturing relationships that affect their growth and healthy development. Research shows that by kindergarten, children who have not had quality early learning experiences are already falling behind their peers and their chances of catching up are significantly reduced. These early years create the foundation for a lifetime of active learning and will have a direct impact on future capabilities as a student, worker, citizen, spouse and parent. How well these foundations are constructed is a shared responsibility of families, communities and schools. Success By 6 Norman is working so that all children in our communities are safe, healthy, eager to learn and ready to succeed by the time they enter school.

why the first five years matter�

�Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything� Video by Ounce of Prevention Fund

Additional Resources:

Smart Start Oklahoma (http://www.smartstartok.org)
Ounce of Prevention (http://www.ounceofprevention.org)
Heckman Equation (http://www.heckmanequation.org)
Zero to Three (http://www.zerotothree.org)
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (http://www.oica.org)

parents are a child�s first teacher�

�Mom, I�m Ready For School!� These are exciting words that every parent wants to hear. It means that a child�s early years were filled with love, hugs, books, music, play, words and affection�ingredients for success in school and in life. Children are born learning and parents are a child�s first and most influential teacher. What a child learns during the earliest years depends on the experiences he has every day with parents and trusted, caring adults. Everyday moments between children and their parents are the foundation for early learning and help create a strong relationship. Parents can help their children develop critical life skills by using simple, routine activities as �teachable moments�. Daily routines like feeding, diaper changing and bath time offer children rich opportunities to have fun, connect with loved ones and figure out how the world works. Remember parents, your child doesn�t need fancy, expensive toys to learn and feel special�they need you. You are the most important part of your child�s early learning experience. For excellent parenting resources, click here and look for the * icon.