The Celebrate Children Foundation tours the state of Wisconsin in order to focus awareness on the need to invest in birth-to-five education.
“Our foundation is focused on obtaining resources and investing them in birth to five programs throughout the state.”
Jim Leonhart, Executive Vice President, says four-year-old kindergarten — and younger — is a critical part of the early learning process and it needs continued financial support. Leonhart says social and emotional development training early in life is critical to one’s success in school.
“All the brain research now points to the fact that our brains are developed by the age of five. That means that young children need to be in quality learning environments. And so that’s really our focus.”
Leonhart says new information shows kids’ brains are ready for learning earlier than once thought. He says if malnourished or insufficiently stimulated, the opportunity for full cognitive development goes away. Kids at home in front of the TV or with a babysitter are simply not enough.
Jackie Johnson report 1:24