"Ready or not, here I come!" This popular childhood game reminds me of the group of kindergartners who will be waving goodbye to their parents and saying hello to their teachers on the first day of school.
I cannot help but to ask the question: How well are we preparing our children to be successful in school and in life?
Every year, approximately 3,700 children in Benton and Franklin counties start kindergarten. Statistics shows that only 44 percent of children start school with the skills they need. Children who start school behind have a hard time catching up.
It is very tempting to jump to the conclusion that what might have worked for some of us when we were growing up is all that is needed for children today. However, the fact of the matter is that there have been several important developments in the past 30 years that make it necessary for us to prepare our children differently.
The percentage of mothers of children under age 18 who are in the labor force grew from 47 percent in 1975 to 71 percent today. More young children are in need of childcare and after-school programs.
Our culture and habits are changing rapidly. Children need our help to make sure they have the basic skills before they start school.
Recent scientific discoveries show that human brain growth is most intense during the infant and toddler years. Eighty-five percent of brain development is completed by age 3. Children who have nurturing, healthy and supportive experiences in these early years develop the brain circuits that will help them think, move, communicate and build positive relationships with those around them.
Early childhood development opportunities captured during the early years are smart investments for avoiding problems such as school remediation, juvenile delinquency and unemployment later in life.
Early learning can occur in many places -- home, child care, preschool, libraries, churches and other community settings. Many people are important teachers -- parents, grandparents, guardians, other relatives, childcare providers, teachers, health care providers and other caring adults. It's not just up to our 5-year-olds to be ready for school. Parents, child care centers, schools, communities and systems need to be ready to support children, too.
So, has our community been doing its part to support our children?
Do parents have the information and resources needed to be their children's first and most important teachers? Are they taking an active role to ensure their children are ready to learn?
Do child care providers have the knowledge and skills to promote children's health, development and early learning?
Are teachers and schools responding to different learning styles and abilities to ensure a high-quality education for children?
What are health care providers and other professionals doing to promote optimal physical, social and emotional growth in children?
Are programs and services available and easy to access when parents need them?
Our answers to these questions determine our children's and our community's future. All parents want their children to be self-sufficient, happy and able to live a full life. Every economy wants to raise the brightest and the best so they can succeed in a developing global economy. Each of us has a part to play in making sure our children's future is bright.
Kennewick, Pasco and Richland school districts, together with United Way and the Our Babies Can't Wait initiative, are partnering to launch an ad campaign this fall to inform the community on the importance of early learning and kindergarten readiness.
Individuals needing information or services can call 211 to be connected to resources right here in our community. Hundreds of organizations have listed their services with 211. And many volunteer opportunities are also available through the organization.
Residents of Benton and Franklin counties have always impressed me as being leaders in insight and proactive action. We also have many great programs and services that help better the lives of children and families.
However, it does not hurt to ask ourselves the aforementioned questions to make sure we are constantly challenging ourselves to do better. For if we do not move forward, we are left behind.
This fall, when the kindergarten Class of 2011 starts and calls out to all of us, saying "Ready or not, here we come," will we be able to respond by saying, "You bet, we are prepared to help you succeed!"?
-- John Inman is the general manager for McCurley Integrity Dealerships. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties and Young Life.
