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Councilman Greg Stanton's
Arcadia News Column
August 2006
Early Childhood Initiative a Winner for Arizona Children and Economy
Walk into a quality preschool or kindergarten program today and you will see a different kind of learning from what you remember a few decades back. Our youngest students and their teachers practice active learning. It seems like play to the little ones, but the teaching methods are actually the best way to stimulate the fast-evolving brains of children.
All children deserve this type of high-quality early childhood education.
Scientific studies in recent years have shown that 90 percent of a child's brain development takes place by age three. Their brains are sponges, soaking up information – words, sounds, songs and ideas.
These studies reinforce the importance of reading and talking to your child from birth or even before birth. They also point to the need for all children, especially at-risk youth, to have access to quality early education programs and routine health screenings.
As a member of Gov. Napolitano's Arizona School Readiness Board and chair of the City Council Education Subcommittee, I applaud the governor's efforts to fund all-day kindergarten programs throughout our state.
Getting even younger children ready for kindergarten is another key step.
That's why an initiative you'll see on the November Arizona ballot is so crucial. The "First Things First" Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Initiative puts a system in place to add to existing programs for young children.
"It's important for all children to come to school healthy and ready for education," said Nadine Mathis Basha, chair of the initiative. "We have the opportunity now to come together as a state and do something positive for our children."
Here's what the initiative would do:
- Dedicate at least $150 million annually for Arizona voluntary early development and health programs. These programs would be based at the local and regional level, run by parents, governments, and non-profit and faith-based groups. A new tax on tobacco products in Arizona would pay for these critical programs.
- Fund additional programs, providing vision and dental screenings for youth to catch problems early.
- Ensure that the vast majority of the money, more than 90 percent, will be spent on literacy, health and early education programs.
- Set up systems for accountability, based on audits and outcome-based standards. This will make sure that the programs are as effective and efficient as possible.
Phoenix City Councilman Greg Stanton represents Arcadia. If you have any questions about any issues, please feel free to call Councilman Stanton's office at 602-262-7491, e-mail greg.stanton@phoenix.gov or visit phoenix.gov/district6.
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