Re: Early Learning Focusing on the Here and Now Principle

From: Nina Sazer O'Donnell
Email: nina.sazerodonnell@gmail.com
Date: February 13, 2006

Comments

Hi Nancy:

I think that a lot of folks have used the notion of "school readiness" as a policy goal and as a way to focus more attention and resources on early childhood development. But as you point out, this has led to often inappropriate expectations and teaching focus for young children. In part, this comes from a widespread lack of understanding about what early learning really is.

That is why Families and Work Institue and New Screen Concepts created Mind in the Making. You can see all of the elements of the campaign on the web site (http:mindinthemaking.org). The goal of all of this work - from the TV shows to the Learning Modules for Early Childhood Teachers to the Tip Sheets for Parents and Caregivers are all designed to inform people about what early learning really is and how it happens.

There is also a collaborative national campaign that just launched - with United Way of America and Civitas and lots of state and local partners called Born Learning that is working toward the same ends. Both of these efforts are creating tools and materials that we hope will better inform decision makers, caregivers and others about what early learning really is and what will really help children become engaged learners for their whole lives.