October 2023 is Head Start Awareness Month

Providing early childhood education is important to ensure that children are ready to learn later in their school years. What happens during this time developmentally, socially and emotionally can set children up for success. Children are more able to learn during this time than any other.

You may think of little ones as 'just babies' but they are actually soaking up a wealth of information all around them. This is why it is so important to focus on children's learning early on.

According to Australian Parenting,

In the first 5 years of life, positive experiences and warm, responsive relationships stimulate children’s development, creating millions of connections in their brains. In fact, children’s brains develop connections faster in the first 5 years than at any other time in their lives. This is the time when the foundations for learning, health and behaviour throughout life are laid down.

Since children are learning so much at this early age, it makes providing early learning experiences for them critical. Children need to be in a stimulating environment with attentive caregivers. The more we can provide this type of environment, the better off our kids will be in the long run.

Head Start

The Head Start program in the United States has been providing quality early childhood education for decades. In addition, they provide parenting education and family enrichment activities. This can help parents to learn how best to support their child's learning and set them up for a lifetime of success.

Are you curious about what the Head Start Program does? You can read about what children do there, and the program's results.

According to Gray Group International,

The impact of early education on child development cannot be overstated. Children participating in high-quality preschool programs like Head Start tend to have better language and literacy skills, higher school readiness scores, and improved social and emotional well-being. Early education programs also help close the achievement gap between disadvantaged children and their more affluent peers, setting them toward long-term success.

The Head Start program has a track record of success in preparing young children for elementary education, and beyond. Compared to children who don't participate in Head Start or another quality early education program, you will find that these children are more successful than their peers.

Head Start Awareness Month Information

This year, Head Start Awareness Month doesn't just have one theme, there is a theme for each week of the month. This can encourage us to learn more about the program, it's history, and its goals.

According to the National Head Start Association,

Sunday, October 1 - Saturday, October 7

Celebrating Head Start's History

Sunday, October 8 - Saturday, October 14

Celebrating Head Start's Children and Alumni

Sunday, October 15 - Saturday, October 21

Celebrating Head Start's Families

Sunday, October 22 - Saturday, October 28

Celebrating Head Start's Communities

Sunday, October 29 - Tuesday, October 31

Celebrating Head Start's Future

Each week, we can learn more about the Head Start program, and how they serve communities and families throughout the country. This is a program that cares deeply about children and families, and works as a partner with parents to ensure their child's success in their future education.

Here is a message from Head Start's Director, talking about this year's Head Start Awareness Month.

Head Start serves children and families living below the Federal poverty level in their local communities. To find out if you qualify, and find a center near you, you can check out the Health and Human Services webpage.