Birth to 5: the Most Important Early Learning Years
At birth, children have most of the brain cells, or neurons, they will need for a lifetime of learning, but these brain cells are not yet linked with the complex networks necessary for mature thought processes. In the first few years of life, beginning at birth, young children's brain cells form connections, or synapses, very rapidly—700 new neural connections every second. These connections build the foundation upon which all later learning depends.
While all children have a tremendous capacity to learn from the moment they are born, optimal development hinges on the experiences provided for them by the adults who take care of them.Reading aloud to children is actually one of the experiences that influences the way young brains develop--that is, the way the brain's circuitry is wired. In fact, reading with children is one of the best ways to encourage language and literacy development from a very young age.
Did You Know?
More than 90 percent of brain development occurs between birth and age 5
Early literacy experiences are critical to healthy brain development.
Zero to Three
The Social Aspect
What Is Good For the Children Is Good for Society
Having access to developmentally appropriate books and being read aloud to early and often are two of the most important factors in early brain development and early literacy development. Quality early literacy experiences prepare children for kindergarten.
A large percentage of children who are not prepared for kindergarten come from low-income homes and families in which English is not the first language. They are often children who do not have books at home and who are not read to regularly by adults.
A wide body of research has established that if children are not ready to learn to read when they get to kindergarten they are at very high risk of falling behind, needing special education and remedial classes, and still never catching up. The cycle of failure continues into adulthood with high school dropouts, teen pregnancy, joblessness, and a life of crime.
When we fail to give children the confidence that they can learn to read by the time they are 8 or 9, we may well have lost them for life. When we provide families and caregivers the tools they need to foster early literacy skills and confidence, we are literally saving a generation of Arizona’s children.
Did You Know?
Teachers report that up to half of the children in some Pima County schools begin kindergarten without the basic early literacy skills they need to learn to read.
75% of Arizona fourth graders are not reading at grade level.
National Assessment of Educational Progress
Economic Factors
When Children Get a Good Start in Literacy, We All Benefit
Today’s children will become tomorrow’s citizens, workers, and parents. If we provide children with what they need to build a strong foundation for learning, our nation will prosper.
When we invest wisely in children and families, the next generation will pay that back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship. If we do not make wise investments in the earliest years, we will all pay the considerable costs of greater numbers of school-aged children who need remedial and special education and more adults who are unemployed and incarcerated.
Did You Know?
Arizona considers the number of fourth-graders reading below level to plan future prison capacity.
Every $1 we invest in early childhood education yields up to $17 in savings over a child’s lifetime.
Institute for a Competitive Workforce
The Bottom Line
Support Early Literacy
If we focus our resources on making sure our youngest, most vulnerable citizens get what they need to start school prepared, they are far more likely to achieve academic success and go on to become highly productive members of society. Make Way For Books is dedicated to making sure all children get what they need for early literacy development and success in school and life.
To provide extensive early literacy resources and services, MWFB relies on the generosity of individuals, business leaders, government and private foundations. Please consider supporting early literacy in Tucson and southern Arizona by making a contribution today. For more information on how to get involved, call (520) 721-2334.
Make Way For Books is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. As such, all gifts are tax-deductible, as allowed by law.
Quality Early Learning Is Foundation 
