How can we be assured that all children are ready by the time they begin school?  When is the right time to begin learning?  The answer is, as early as possible.   Our United Way supports early learning because we've learned that 46% of kindergarteners enter school without the necessary skills to succeed.  That's unacceptable.  So what can be done to change this statistic? Interaction! Affection!  A simple act, such as reading for as little as 10 minutes a day to your child, could have a lasting affect on the development of your child's brain. Did you know...

·         By the age of 2 ½, a child's brain has already grown to 85% of an adults, and 90% by the age of three? 

·         Children, who are not played with or touched, may have 20-30% smaller brains than children who are receiving these types of stimulation?

And, when it comes to early learning, size matters. A smaller brain equals a lesser amount of retention and capability which then translates into a decreased chance of success by the time school comes around. Every word, every hug, every shake of a rattle, could mean a higher success rate and life-long lasting benefits for your child.

The Oshkosh Area United Way is part of the Early Learning Collaboration Committee of Oshkosh to educate the community on the importance of early learning. On Friday, October 15, ELCCO will be holding an Early Learning Economic Summit to educate area businesses on the importance of investing in early learning.  I hope you can join us.  Another way that the Oshkosh Area United Way is involved in early learning is by participating in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which supplies children birth to five with one book a month, free of charge.

So finally, why is this so important?  According to the Committee of Economic Development, "investing in education of America's youngest learners has emerged as one of the most promising ways to help strengthen the future economic and fiscal position of our states and nation."  That's pretty powerful stuff!