Invest in early learning

By Deirdre Conner
A growing body of research is showing that most of the brain's development takes place in the first years of life. And teachers are finding that many children are already behind educationally before they set foot in a public school kindergarten.

No 'quick return'
Improvements in early childhood education don't have a short turnaround time, said Susan Main, executive director of the Early Learning Coalition of Duval County.
"The case to invest in early learning is wonderful," she said. "But it doesn't sell. You don't see a quick return."

Yet the research conducted since the 1960s has been unanimous in its conclusion that educating children from birth to kindergarten helps them be successful in school in later years.

"We know it all," Main said, "but we have yet to tell the story well enough."

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-04-18/story/hope-should-early-education-be-right#ixzz1JvQXqVDc

Babies participating in Le Beaumont playgroups show marked difference after 2 weeks. They are more focused. Their attention span improves. They like familiar songs. And they are better motivated to learn.