• Investing  in early childhood  makes solid economic sense.  A study by the Federal Reserve Bank reports that every $1 we spend on quality early learning education pays returns of $7-$17.   
  • 85% of the human brain is developed by age 5. 
  • 20% of today’s workers are functionally illiterate.  Early childhood development programs prepare our children to become adults who are literate, employable, and productive citizens. 
  • Virginia spends approximately $90 million annually on children who repeat grades K-3.
  • 1 in 4 children in the Shenandoah Valley enter school not ready to learn.

Events

Locality Event Date Time Description Location
Regional Early Childhood Leadership Summit Thursday, April 29, 2010 8:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Have you ever wondered how important early childhood development is to the strength of a community? The 5th annual Smart Beginnings Early Childhood Leadership Summit is the perfect place to find out. This year our goals center on raising awareness of early childhood development as a key economic and education strategy for our region; sharing the results of our recently conducted Early Childhood Needs Assessment; and providing time for networking while building our strategic planning capapcity looking ahead to the next three to five years. For more information, contact Stacie Jackson at jacks2sc@jmu.edu or visit our website at www.valleysmartbeginnings.org. Registration, including breakfast and lunch, will be starting soon! JMU, Festival Center
Regional Celebrating Families Thursday, April 15 5:15-7:45 A FREE event for parents and children ages 3 and up. Light supper included. Workshops for parents include Reading to Your Child, Meals on a Budget, and Behavior Management. Activities, including a visit from the Gus Bus, will be provided for children ages 3 and up. Registration required. Contact Stacie Jackson at 568-8968 for more information. Lucy Simms Center, Harrisonburg
 

 

 

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