Although this article is about early childhood education in Kansas, many other states are incorporating early childhood education into their curriculum. Different states and individual school districts can vary greatly in the nature of programs, but each has some common goals and characteristics.
Many of the school districts in Kansas are adding kindergarten programs for children beginning at age three. Although the age of three may seem too early to begin a child’s education, there is a growing interest in early childhood education. A child’s brain grows to about 90% of its capacity by the age of five. They are compared to a sponge, absorbing everything they see, hear and experience. Children are adept at learning language then, and many of the skills they need later in life are based on those early experiences.
The first formal research in the United States on early childhood education was conducted in Minnesota in the 1960s. Two groups of children were randomly divided into an experimental group, which received two years of early childhood education, and a group control, which did not receive it. The experimental group received experiences that help children grow and prosper, such as stable and enriching relationships with other children and adults, an environment rich in language, experience with routines, and encouragement to explore through movement and their senses. They also learned to take turns, to lead and stay in the game, to seek help when needed, to recognize emotions, and to control their impulses. In addition, they become familiar with numbers, the alphabet, and problem-solving skills.
Upon entering the traditional school, members of the experimental group were more successful in the early grades, but it was found that by age 10 they performed roughly the same as their peers. The researchers were disappointed at first, but when they followed the experimental group through school and into adulthood, they found many improvements. The experimental group was less likely to repeat grades or need remedial classes, and were more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. They were also more successful in their careers and less likely to experience health problems or get involved with the criminal justice system.
Children in early childhood education were found to do better if parents and caregivers are involved in the process. Many schools involve parents through home visits and also encourage daycare centers to have children practice skills learned in early childhood education.
Surprisingly, the Federal Reserve is interested in research in early childhood education as a way to improve the workforce and enhance economic development. The economic value of early childhood education programs has been found to far outweigh the cost. Economists who have looked at the costs and benefits find that there is a rate of return of $ 5 to $ 15 for every dollar invested, with disadvantaged children getting the most benefit. While children and their families benefit from investments in early childhood education, most of the benefits accrue to communities and society as a whole. Children are also likely to become better parents and better citizens, spreading the benefits forward.
Kansas legislators and educators are increasingly interested in early childhood education as they try to spend education money more efficiently. The 2019 Kansas Legislature increased funding for K-12 schools to allow for inflation, and the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that the increase was adequate. However, Kansas shouldn’t settle for enough.
Kansas has always been known for its excellent schools and we must keep it that way. One way to do this would be to increase early education programs. There are federal and private grants available to develop early childhood learning programs. The Kansas Legislature should also consider providing additional funding to start and maintain these programs. It would be an efficient way to improve educational outcomes at minimal cost and it would be a wise investment in our future.