The path to a bright future and fulfilling career begins in early childhood. Kids build their life's foundation upon their family and their education. For this reason, children need a solid school experience in order to prepare for their careers. While students may not imagine the jobs they'll have down the road while they're in preschool, the beginning of their education can set them up for success. The sooner we invest in our kids, the greater their chances of reaching their life goals, no matter their background.
The economy of education
According to a report by Legal Monument and the MIT Workplace Center, every dollar taxpayers spend on early childhood education saves them about $13 in the long-run. When kids walk into a school that has all the resources it needs, they are more likely to stay engaged in their lessons. When students are invested in their learning, they complete their education, which helps them enter the workforce in the field they studied. This chain of events creates communities full of working adults who earn good money. Even if taxpayers don't have kids, the money they spend on education can benefit them later on by way of stronger communities.
Students who attended preschool are also more likely to become financially stable in adulthood. Fewer students who went to preschool have children at a young age then those who did not receive an early education.
Achievement starts early
According to The World Bank, students who start their education at a young age perform better academically than those who did not. Additionally, students who are enrolled in preschool generally develop a better IQ than those who are not. Children are very impressionable during their toddler years, as they are gathering the skills necessary to function more independently. If kids are educated during this time, the information sticks, giving them the know-how to learn actively in the future.
A solid preschool program can ensure that children are ready to learn as soon as they get to grammar school.
To college and beyond
Kids who have a strong educational foundation are more likely to attend and graduate from college, especially if they excelled in high school. Programs such as Head Start (a federal effort geared toward helping kids who are 5 years old and younger get a good preschool education) make a difference in the academic trajectory of children. In fact, a study by the National Institute for Early Education Research revealed that kids in the Head Start program were more likely to graduate from both high school and college than students who did not attend preschool.
Career skills taught in school
When kids succeed academically, they have the tools they need to pursue a fulfilling career. Good grades, along with the skills kids learn in school, make students appealing candidates in whatever field they choose. This is especially true now as more states implement the Common Core State Standards, which are geared toward preparing kids for future careers.
The Standards emphasize college and career readiness by ensuring students meet certain goals every year. The Common Core encourages schools to teach subjects in depth, make literacy a priority and develop students' critical thinking skills. By the time students graduate high school, they should be able to excel in college.
Here are just some of the skills kids learn in school that they will need in the workplace:
- Reading comprehension
- Analytical abilities
- Critical thinking
- Responsibility
- Time management
- Sound writing capabilities
Students pick up all these skills (and many more) throughout their educational experience, and it all begins in preschool. Early childhood education prepares kids to learn, an ability they use in high school, college and the workforce.
