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Soft Skills Lead to Solid Results
Can attending preschool for a few hours a day really boost a child's earnings 25 years later? It may sound hard to believe. But according to some leading economists, there is compelling evidence that preschool can make a tremendous difference in a child's long-term success.
 Upjohn Institute economist Timothy Bartik--based in Kalamazoo--points to the importance of developing soft skills, which he describes as "how the child interacts with peers, with authority figures, and most of all, how the child views him or herself."
Bartik has a new book released this month, "Investing in Kids: Early Childhood Programs and Local Economic Development." He also has a blog on the same topic, in which he recently wrote, "A child entering kindergarten who is more confident, who believes that his or her plans can affect his or her surroundings, and who can get along with other students and teachers, will be more successful in kindergarten. This success in turn will encourage the child's confidence and planning, and change how the child is viewed by peers, teachers, and even parents. All of this leads to success in first grade and beyond."
Nobel Prize winning University of Chicago economist James Heckman has long made a similar argument. "We focus on the development of cognitive skills where intelligence can be tested, but we ignore the development of social skills," he wrote. "When social skills are combined at an early age with cognitive skills, they help create more capable and productive citizens."
Hearing this from economists is music to the ears of Mary Hockwalt, Executive Director of Michigan Family Resources, the nonprofit agency that administers Head Start programs in Kent County. Hockwalt calls social and emotional skills "the basis for a child's lifelong development and learning."
As for that correlation to a child's success in the workforce, Hockwalt says it isn't such a stretch, especially when she thinks about the skills she values in employees.
"They problem solve, cooperate and have positive working relationships because they also have confidence in their work. These skills are learned in a preschool classroom."
Please click on the links to read Tim Bartik's blog and learn more about his book "Investing In Kids: Early Childhood Programs and Local Economic Development."
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News & Updates
First Steps Commissioners in GR Press & GRBJ
Co-chairs of the First Steps Commission Doug DeVos and Kate Pew Wolters
recently had a guest commentary published in the Grand Rapids Press, in which they called on state leaders to "refocus our resources on those efforts that will rebuild Michigan's economy and put us on the road to economic prosperity. That begins with a great start for every young child in our community."
Click on the link to read the full commentary from Doug and Kate.
In a similar piece published by the Grand Rapids Business Journal, First Steps Commission and Children's Leadership Council members Susan Broman, Lew Chamberlin and Sue Jandernoa wrote, "We see investment in early childhood as investment in economic development. Young children are to Michigan what research and development are to 21st century corporations--you must invest in both to maximize future results."
Thanks to Doug, Kate, Susan, Lew and Sue for your leadership on this important issue!
Quick Tips for Parents & Caregivers
Sorting laundry. Picking out clothes in the morning. Making a grocery list.
A new series of short videos gives great advice about how to turn those everyday tasks into important learning experiences for young children.
The Early Childhood Investment Corporation teamed up with Detroit Public Television to produce 42 short videos aimed at parents and caregivers. Click on the link to check out the Child Care Vignettes, and please share them with anyone you know who has young children in their life.
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Kent Regional 4C
We want to share the stories of programs and services that are working with young children and their families in Kent County. This time we are featuring a program of Kent Regional 4C that is working to improve the quality of early care and education.
About 30 young children have gotten their start in Debbie Pearson's home. She's been a child care provider for 21 years and has watched some of the kids who first came to her as babies grow into adults.
A few years ago, Pearson decided she wanted more training and signed up for a program to be credentialed as a Child Development Associate (CDA).
"The tools that they give you are just a God send," the Wyoming child care provider said. "The training helped me create an environment for a well-rounded child."
 Kent Regional 4C operates the program that Pearson attended. The CDA is an entry-level credential, designed for people who already are working in the field of early care and education but have had little formal training.
Jennifer Griffith, Director of Services for Kent Regional 4C, says the program covers all aspects of working with young children, including intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development.
"We know a child that's had a nurturing beginning to life and an encouraging caregiver begins to feel good about themselves and their capabilities, and they become the scientists, the readers, the problem solvers," Griffith said.
Pearson says she uses much of what she learned on a daily basis. For instance, she no longer relies on "time outs" for discipline. Instead the children go to the "peace table" where they work to solve their own problems.
"They give you the tools to help the children figure it out themselves instead of you doing it for them," Pearson explained.
In addition to the CDA credentialing program, Kent Regional 4C offers other training opportunities for child care providers. Griffith says the objective is to strengthen early learning experiences.
"If the child has a richer experience, they're more apt to learn the things they need to be ready for school."
Click on the link to learn more about Kent Regional 4C.
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Sincerely,
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| Did You Know? | Michigan's economy is taking a toll on families and children in our community and increasing the demand for public assistance.
In 2010, 53,000 families in Kent County received Food Assistance, a 26% increase from 2009.
63,000 children were enrolled in Medicaid--more than 40% of all children in Kent County. That number continues to climb every year.
| Sources: Michigan Department of Community Health, Michigan League for Human Services
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Contact us:
Amy Turner-Thole
Communications Director
616-632-1003
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