Crystal Redner, Southeastern COlorado, Bent county early learning center, Executive Director
The Importance of Utilizing Early Childhood Resources
Nowadays being able to utilize early childhood resources and opportunities can be the distinguishing factor for students being categorized as intensive, targeted or core based learners. Statistics show that students who have access to multiple educational resources have higher academic gains than those without access.
Bent County is definitely not Smallville. Trudging around in corn fields and waiting on Superman is not an option. We understand early childhood is a period of growth and development. We also understand that children are our future & appropriately addressing their needs is of utmost importance. For this very reason, we early educators have armed ourselves with an arsenal of educational tools to effectively conquer misconceptions and inaccuracies.
Our community World Cafe brought into view that life is not a DC Comics’ script; We must find a passionate, hopeful, leaders that are capable of networking with schools, DHS, local jobs, historical sites, neighboring communities, nonprofit organizations, and other agencies. We must collaborate with entities that are willing to assist us in obtaining our goals. We have to rally around our common ideologies and support leaders that will steadfastly guide Bent County to the upper echelons of the educational achievement percentiles.
If we could wave a magic wand & change three things that affect the relationship among those in the early childhood system, the following would immediately be altered: improve communication, funding, and family/community engagements.
As the key stakeholders, students spend the majority of their childhood in school and the community they live in. Having a strong, structured foundation in both environments would improve that child’s chances of being successful. In a survey conducted, based on Bent County resources with a small sample size, concluded the county could use quality affordable housing, more working-class professionals, and more external funding. “Better resources for providers to develop and grow, tools for providers to speak with parents and families in a way that is helpful and not frustrating, and tools to help parents and families be successful in supporting their children and becoming more involved in the educational process of their children,” cited a proponent who would love to see more resources available for Bent County’s early childhood program. Early childhood educators are very important professionals “Early childhood to me, means my children are learning while being cared for by professionals,” revealed one participant. “[It is] an established system of supports and resources to aid in the upbringing and development of young children through collaboration, innovation, shared visions and expectations of families, providers, and community.”
According to Kids Count US Census Data, a national and state-by-state project of the Casey Foundation that tracks the status of children’s data, children are 75.4% more likely to graduate high school when they are provided an early childhood education filled with various supportive resources and provided multiple avenues for growth. Students who are not afforded similar opportunities, chances of graduating high school decreases 26.9%, which is why we must ensure Bent County has adequate resources available.
In closing, early childhood is an important foundational learning stage during the human developmental period. Providing a solid, strong base for lifelong learning is a priceless gift to bestow on a learner. Because these years are the essential building blocks of students’ educational careers, we must vest appropriate resources to maximize their cognitive and social development to ensure their future is filled with success. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead Throughout this past year I have gained so much confidence, voice and skill in my capabilities as a leader in part to all the experience we have been guided through the BECLP. Two of the most important lessons that I attribute to Buell are that we must do things with our community members, not to them; and that change takes time. It is a slow process and to have it done effectively you cannot be a “U Jumper”.