Healthy environments are safe physical and emotional spaces (free from fear and toxins) for children to grow, learn and thrive. From the first time they open their eyes to their first day of school, young children are exposed to all kinds of new experiences that shape their emotional and physical development. Through the interactions they have with adults in their lives, the food they eat and the games they play, children build a solid foundation for better learning and physical and mental health.
Quality early education begins by creating environments where all children can be healthy, happy and ready to learn.
Unfortunately, development does not begin in the same way for every child. Adversity and trauma in early childhood can disrupt brain circuitry, causing barriers to literacy and socialization; it can also affect immune system health and lead to a greater risk of disease and addiction in adulthood.
CHILDREN ARE LIKE SPONGES
A child’s developing brain soaks up information at record speeds. From age 0 to 5, children build cognitive skills for language and quantitative reasoning as well as character skills for social and emotional growth, motor skills and problem solving. Even before memories begin to form around the age of 4, more than 80 percent of brain development is already complete. Many of the foundations for learning abilities and behavior patterns have formed.
LIFELONG IMPACTS OF PRESCHOOL
The HighScope Perry Preschool Study followed two groups of 3- and 4-year-olds into adulthood. One group attended a quality preschool program, and the other did not. By age 40, the group that received early education programming had higher earning power, were more likely to hold a job, graduated from high school, and committed fewer crimes than the group that had not attended the program.
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH ARE CONNECTED
In their earliest years, children benefit from having an environment of positive relationships and experiences that activate their learning well before they enter the classroom. At the same time, sound physical health and nutrition provide a foundation for the construction of sturdy brain architecture, which creates critical learning capacities.
BUILDING HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS FOR ALL
How can we build healthy environments for all young children?
A child who feels safe and supported at home is well equipped to adapt to change and build formative relationships. Stable, nurturing interactions with parents and caregivers enhance learning experiences and regulate biological stress responses.
Research has shown that addressing the environments where children grow up and the emotional and physical indicators that promote wellness can have great impact. By improving a child’s environment, we can close the opportunity gap and put more children on paths that lead to brighter futures.
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