Introduction to Quality Education
Everyone knows the importance of a quality education, but not too many know that it should start at an early age to ensure a strong foundation. As National Teacher Appreciation Week comes to an end, it’s essential to highlight the significance of early childhood education and the organizations that support it.
Collaborative for Children: A Houston-Based Organization
Collaborative for Children is a Houston-based organization that has maintained its mission to enhance early childhood education for nearly 40 years. According to Collaborative’s President and CEO, Dr. Melanie Johnson, the organization was first established in 1987 as a way to provide child care and referral services to Houston area companies as well as parents.
Services Provided by Collaborative for Children
The organization supports 125 childcare centers of excellence within its ecosystem, providing business training, parent engagement, and teacher professionalism for instruction in the classroom. Educational specialists visit child care centers twice per month to help teachers with certain competencies like inclusive classroom and classroom management, ensuring optimal learning environments.
Focus on 21st-Century Skills
Part of Collaborative for Children’s approach involves a focus on skills you might not find in a traditional classroom, such as coding, AI generative gamification, and digital literacy. Dr. Johnson emphasized the importance of preparing children for the 21st century by teaching them skills that go beyond traditional literacy and numeracy.
The Importance of Early Education
Research shows that the earlier, the better when it comes to education. Between birth and three years of age, 85% of neural synapses are developed in the brain, and by five years old, 90% of those neural synapses are developed. It’s imperative to train the brain to learn and develop great social-emotional skills, executive function, as well as literacy and numeracy from an early age.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Collaborative for Children is a vital organization that has been supporting early childhood education in Houston for nearly 40 years. By providing business training, parent engagement, and teacher professionalism, they ensure that children receive a strong foundation for future success. As research shows, early education is crucial for developing neural synapses and preparing children for the 21st century. To learn more about Collaborative for Children, visit their website and discover how you can support their mission to enhance early childhood education.
