I became a Preschool teacher to make a difference and give back to my community.  My Grandmother was an Early Childhood teacher too, because, she said, you can see the difference you make in Children’s lives.

Writing for Scientific American, Abigail Fagan reports on the proven benefits of a Preschool education.  [Link]  Students who attend a quality structured Early Childhood program are, “47 percent more likely to earn an associate’s degree and 41 percent more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than children who participated in standard preschool programs”.  What makes a Preschool program a quality program?

The research suggests considered Math and Literacy curricula contribute to the quality of a program.  Also, community and regular parent involvement contribute.  Trained and continually developing teachers also impact a program’s effectiveness.

Evidence based practice valuing pedagogy, community connections, and parent involvement prove to make a positive impact on children’s lives, as well as the health of the greater community.  In fact, ““The cost of not providing children with these opportunities is the cost I don’t think our society can afford,” says Sharon Ramey, a professor at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute’s Carilion Research Institute”.