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Why is early childhood important?

When the Collaboration for Early Childhood began in 2003, researchers were increasingly connecting the vital importance of children's early experiences to their optimal development. New research on brain development and the economic returns of investing in early childhood brought more support for what educators have always known:

The early years matter.

We know that a baby's brain makes more connections by age three than at any other time. We know that positive relationships with caring adults build strong neural pathways. We also know that negative experiences - poor quality care, financial stress, poor housing conditions, abuse, violence, emotional neglect - leave a child less able to learn once they enter school. And that same early stress is tied to physical and mental health issues in adults decades later.

There are only 1100 days between when a child is born to their 3rd birthday. Every experience they have during that time shapes their potential for later in life.

On November 16, Geoffrey Nagle, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Erikson Institute, spoke at our Community Conversation about how early experiences impact children's well-being later in life.

He shared new research showing that the academic gap most school districts face is already in place when children enter school and it stays about the same as they progress through school. Even high-performing schools have difficulty overcoming the disparity that exists when students enter kindergarten.

Early childhood matters.

Every experience a child has helps shape his or her future. That's why we partner with over 70 organizations to ensure that families and early learning and care providers have the information, skills and resources they need to develop strong relationships that support the development of our youngest children.

Eleven-hundred days may not seem like a long time to an adult. But to a child, the experiences they have each day before their third birthday will make a difference in their physical health, their mental stability and their cognitive abilities in the decades to come.

>> Listen to Geoffrey Nagle on WBEZ discussing this new research and more.

Calendar

12/20: Professional Development Committee
1/11: Directors' Roundtable
1/20: Family Child Care Providers Roundtable
1/20: Board of Directors & Retreat
1/26: Collaboration Council

2/24: Annual Symposium

Visit our website or Facebook page for updates and more events for families.
Calendar
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Partnering With Parents
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David Seleb, OPPL

A Community Conversation

Following Geoffrey Nagle's presentation on the importance of early experiences, audience members shared their perceptions of the early childhood landscape in Oak Park.

David Seleb, Executive Director of the Oak Park Public Library facilitated the conversation on behalf of the Collaboration for Early Childhood.

People in the audience said they want their community to be one that:

  • Is equitable,
  • Provides support and resources, especially in collaboration with parents,
  • Focuses on relationships, which should be equal to other skills,
  • Meets every child's needs,
  • And much more.

We at the Collaboration take this input to heart as we continue to build connections in our community to meet the needs of our youngest children and their families.

>> Read the notes from our Community Conversation
 

Wednesday Journal Editorial

A Collaboration that Works

We were both humbled and thrilled to see the Wednesday Journal's recent editorial, "A Collaboration that Works," touting the Collaboration for Early Childhood as "a true innovation that works."

They go on to say, "Our kids are being better prepared academically and socially for kindergarten, and beyond, by this program."

Thank you to everyone who participates as donors, on committees, our board, our staff, our public & private partners, and the early childhood workforce at agencies and programs who work every day to make this a community where every child thrives!

The Wednesday Journal also highlighted the results of our developmental screening program and our data collection efforts in an article about our recent data report to the jurisdictions.

>> Read the editorial

Parenting Resource Program

Family Resources

Our first Early Childhood Resouce Fair was a big hit!

Check out the list of participating partners here.

We're already planning the next Resource Fair for early in the new year. Stay tuned!

The new edition of the Early Childhood Resource Directory will be available later in January. In the meantime, our online directory is always up-to-date with child care centers, preschools and family child care homes in Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park.

We know you’ve been following us on Facebook and LinkedIn, and you can also find us on all your favorite social media apps!

  • Our Pinterest boards cover child development and early childhood topics.
  • Our Twitter account has all the latest local and national news, research, activities, and suggestions for those interested in the youngest years.
  • And of course, Instagram has lovely photos of our work.

Please follow us and let others know we’re here. See you online!

15th Annual Symposium

Save the Date!

Our annual Symposium will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2018, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Percy Julian Middle School in Oak Park.

This year's keynote speaker is Angela Searcy, EdD.

Online and mail-in registration will begin on January 12.

Scholarships are available - click here for more information.

>> More details about the Symposium

Here's wishing you and yours a healthy and happy new year!

Please consider an end-of-year donation
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