Group in Idaho wants state to recognize value in preschool
The state of Idaho is at the bottom of the list when it comes to children enrolled in prekindergarten. Idaho is one of six states where 3-and 4-year-olds have no access to state-funded preschool.
The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children met with lawmakers in Boise to discuss the importance of play with young children on Wednesday. The group was trying to show lawmakers the impact of early learning through play.
“Idaho is at the bottom of the list in the country in terms of how many kids participate in early childhood opportunities,” said Margaret Ganyo, the director of strategic partnership for Eastern Idaho United Way.
According to Idaho AEYC, 68 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds are not enrolled in preschool.
“We just have so many families without the opportunities to give their children access to the kind of learning that is simple and easy, and will prepare them for school,” said Ganyo.
The group said the state falls behind because there is not any state investment in early childhood education.
At Snake River Montessori School in Ammon, teachers believe that young children have the capabilities to learn.
“The early years are the foundation for the rest of their learning,” said Ashley Perez, a primary teacher at Snake River Montessori School. “It’s a short window but its the window where they are absorbing the most.”
Teachers also said that 3-and 4-years-olds need stable, interactive skills that will help in life.
“You’re always going to be social. It’s nice to be able to learn that earlier than later,” said Perez.
These programs give children experiences that promote school readiness and positively affects the entire education system.
“Not just the social. If they have the ABCs and 123s types of things, it’s easier for them to grasp abstract things that they’re going to have to learn later in life,” said Kelly King, a primary teacher at Snake River Montessori School.
Idaho AEYC and Eastern Idaho United Way hope that, if lawmakers take a look at how children benefit from early education, they will invest in these state-funded programs.
“See the kinds of things that if we invest into our state and how parents can support it, how we can take a little bit of state funding and add to it and really strengthen the next couple of generations of kids,” said Ganyo.
In 2017, Idaho AEYC did a survey to find out what Idahoans think of early and preschool investment. It found that 80 percent of parents and 76 percent of voters support state investment in early education.
