“Cradle to Career,” turning research into action
A follow-up from yesterday’s “Best Starts for Kids” panel discussion
On landing back in Seattle from my summer break, I was excited to get back to our community and our Seattle campus. But I was also excited to host our Speaker Series on Early Childhood Education, and in particular, evaluate a proposed King County levy titled, Best Starts for Kids. The program would provide the latest tools and resources for optimal early childhood development, from birth through age 5, to every parent and caregiver in King County.
The latest groundbreaking research at the UW’s Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (I-Labs) tells us that in these first five years of life, 92 percent of a child’s brain growth occurs. This levy would set a new standard for the nation by transforming the way we invest in our children’s future by focusing on what works – and thus put every child in our community on a path toward lifelong success.
This bold proposal was presented at our campus by King County Executive Dow Constantine and a panel of academic, community and business experts. We had over 60 stakeholders, alumni and interested community members in attendance.
“We have an opportunity to do what so many people have been talking about doing for so long,” said King County Executive Constantine. “We can put the puzzle together and start creating a better future, turn ideas from research into action in the community.”
Executive Constantine made a compelling case to why this early investment would, over time, save vast sums of public funds. Children who benefit from a positive start in life are far less likely to end up in the County’s justice system, experience serious depression or chemical dependency in their early years.
The panel expert on early childhood education was Dr. Michelle Barnes, a Faculty member at Everett Community College in early childhood education, and a graduate of Northeastern’s Doctor of Education program. Dr. Barnes explained why this early approach is so important as the critical development of sensory pathways, language development and higher cognitive functions takes place in the first few years of life.
She noted that a child’s experience in these years builds neural connections that will have a lasting influence for their future. Long-standing toxic stress and trauma in these years can have a negative long-term impact on the architecture of the brain. Thus providing health and safety factors and positive experiences is foundational to a child’s future success.
The Seattle Foundation’s representative, Vice President Michael Brown explained why the Best Starts for Kids proposal is so key to our community’s welfare. He said that at present far too many children begin elementary school cognitively unready, leading to poor academic performance. Children entering kindergarten ready to learn on the other hand, results in increased graduation rates, higher earnings, better test scores and lower crime rates.
Maud Daudon, CEO of The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Chair of Washington’s Student Achievement Council, talked about the importance of thinking of the system as “cradle to career.” She noted that our regional goals for a strong economy good environment and equity must start with wise investments in early childhood education, to make sure no one is left behind.
Best Starts for Kids goes to the ballot in early November. It would raise $65,000,000 per year through a modest property tax. The nation is watching to see how this plays out, and we will keep you posted on this fundamental issue for our community’s long-term welfare. Our earlier session on Income Inequality is directly related to the quality of early childhood education.
Related Links:
- Invest in kids now, not later – Dean Tayloe Washburn’s PSBJ editorial
- Doctor of Education alumna discusses importance of early childhood development – Speaker Panel preview
- King County: Best Starts for Kids – Learn more about the initiative