Learning begins at birth

A focus on early childhood is part of the education agendas of both President Barack Obama and Gov. Rick Snyder, but this local effort was in the works before those official calls came. Barkley said that's because Calhoun County educators believe in research showing early learning supports performance throughout school. Barkley said 80 percent of brain development happens within the first 36 months, before children start school.

"So this can't wait...," she said.

"Learning begins at birth," Lee said. "Children don't walk into kindergarten with a blank slate."

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