The Importance of Early Education

Brain Building in Progress, a public-private early childhood education communications initiative developed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and United Way, launches statewide today to raise the public's awareness of the importance of early years to the development of young children. Brain Building in Progress will highlight the need to provide the Commonwealth's youngest residents with high quality and enriching experiences to ensure healthy brain development. Public service announcements will air on ABC affiliates WCVB-TV Channel 5 Boston and WGGB-TV abc40 Springfield beginning today through October 16. A new Web site, http://www.brainbuildinginprogress.org/, also launched today to provide resources for parents, teachers, community leaders, and the business community.

The launch of the Brain Building in Progress campaign follows the 2011 National Business Leader Summit on Early Childhood Investment held in Boston this past July. At the Summit, Jack Shonkoff, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child, discussed the direct impact that a negative environment can have on a developing brain. Research shows that stable and supportive relationships, language-rich environments, and engaging interactions with caring adults promote healthy brain architecture.

http://supportunitedway.org/press/2011/08/22/public-awareness-initiative-focuses-importance-early-education-and-care-commonwealt