Congregations Caring for Children

Demonstrate better classroom behavior and have better relations with teach 

ers and classmates;

Are less frequently assigned to special education classes or retained in grade

in later years;

Have better school attendance rates; and

Are more likely to graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary

education or training.

Benefits for families and communities

Family self sufficiency

Families with young children enrolled in high quality early education/family

support programs become more self sufficient as:

Mothers view themselves as more competent parents and their children as

more competent;

Family members obtain further education, improve their child rearing prac 

tices, and cope with family crises;

Parents develop skills in community organization, leadership, and decision 

making; and

Family members are better able to concentrate on the job and have fewer

stress related health problems.

Ways to Improve the Quality of Early Childhood Education

Benefits for children, families, and communities can be increased through the

efforts of teachers, parents, administrators, community leaders, and

policymakers:

Teachers can pursue credentials in early childhood education and participate

in ongoing professional development opportunities.

Parents can become more involved in their children's early education and

advocate for quality services.

Administrators can voluntarily raise staff qualifications and teacher child

ratios and can pursue funding to improve the quality, compensation, and

affordability of their programs.

Community leaders from the public and private sectors can coordinate their

efforts to promote early childhood education.

Policymakers can improve professional development and regulatory systems,

promote voluntary accreditation, and increase government investment in provid 

ing access for all children to high quality early childhood education.

Excerpted from What are the Benefits of High Quality Early Childhood Programs?  by the National

Association for the Education of Young Children. Used with permission.

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