Early Learning: The Key to a Lifetime of Success

A child begins learning the day he is born, and his brain develops quickly between ages 3 and 5. You are his first and best teacher and can get him on the path to success by interacting with him often. Then, give him the opportunity to learn the skills he needs for kindergarten, like knowing the alphabet and counting, by enrolling him in a high-quality preschool. Children who attend preschool are more likely to graduate from high school and continue on to college.

Playing games and interacting, like the Garcia family does in the video, our fun and engaging ways to teach your child important skills and is also a way to bond.

Just like Marisol and her classmates in the video, preschool teaches your child to play well with other children, share and be creative. Playing with blocks, fingerpainting, learning letters and singing songs are all activities that support her growth and make her ready for kindergarten.

Important tips:

• Lead by example. You are never too old to learn something new. Make it a point to learn new things together, and be excited about them.
• Learning at home doesn't stop when they start school. Be involved in every step of your child's education.
• Learning letters, storytelling, singing songs and playing rhyme games all contribute to a strong vocabulary and important language skills.
• Preschool activities are not just "play," but are designed to build problem-solving, memory and reasoning skills and a fun way.
• Preschool teaches your child the independence they will need for kindergarten.

Resources:

• Early learning tips for every age: http://www.bornlearning.org/default.aspx?id=33
• Reading tips, a list of books to read to your child, and helpful reading resources: http://www.readtoyourbaby.com/
• Tips to help teach your child the skills he will need to enter kindergarten: http://school.familyeducation.com/educational-issues/preschool/34394.html
• Read parents' reviews and get detailed information on your local preschools: http://www.greatschools.org/california/los-angeles/preschools/
• LAUP funds half day preschool in a wide variety of centers and Family Childcare homes across L.A. County: http://www.laup.net/