Building a Strong Foundation: The Critical Role of Early Childhood Development

Research on early childhood development is unequivocal: the first five years of life are pivotal to a child’s neurological, cognitive, and social-emotional growth. Today, Erin is joined by two experts in child development from the San Bernardino City Unified School District, Dr. Latashia Kelly and Nancy Carrillo, to discuss these formative years, their lasting impact, and what they are doing to make the most of them. 

Studies from Stanford University reveal a staggering reality: low-income 5-year-olds can be as much as three years behind in early numeracy and two years behind in literacy compared to their wealthier peers. While many catch up in later years, they never quite bridge the gap, as they continue to learn at the same pace as their more privileged classmates. The foundation laid between birth and age 5 is critical; it determines a child’s readiness for kindergarten. Students who start behind face an uphill battle to catch up, often struggling to overcome this early deficit throughout their education.

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