EARLY CHILDHOOD

Early education gives young brains room to grow. It fosters skill development, attentiveness, human connection, motivation, self-control, and sociability. These character skills build healthy people and healthy communities. That’s why MAPP promotes early childhood development initiatives across our region.

Early Childhood

Why We Care

80 percent of brain growth happens in the first three years of life.

Nurturing relationships with caring adults as early in life as possible can prevent or reverse the damaging effects of toxic stress response.

Investments in early childhood education and health strengthen the economy by resulting in higher academic achievement and preventing chronic disease in adulthood.

How MAPP is Helping

In 2014, MAPP worked with the University of Vermont’s Center for Children, Youth, and Families to establish the Family Wellness Program in the Windsor and Woodstock Pediatric Clinics. MAPP wants to help link interested families and community agencies that work with families to this important resource.

MAPP is also a proud sponsor of the Ascutney Mountain Promise Community’s “Read, Play, Grow” campaign. Kindergarten readiness is an important factor in future success and thriving for individuals and families. Contact us to learn more!

Advocate for investment in early childhood eduction! Research indicates that early childhood education is the most efficient way to promote economic growth.

What You Can Do

APRIL 2nd - 8th is "The Week of the Young Child!", check out these downloads for fun activities.

Regular, positive interaction between young children and their families is essential to growth. Brain connections are built when a child “serves” up a gesture, cry, or babble, and an adult “returns” a response with eye contact, words, or a hug:

Share your child’s interest when they point at an object or action.

When your child sees an object, state the object’s name. Put words to actions and feelings, as well.

Encourage your child with words, facial expressions, or even with motions, such as dancing.

When you help and play with your child, you help them feel seen and heard. This is all part of a process early childhood educators call “serve and return.”