The future of education

Last week I watched a conversation about U.S. competitiveness and investments in education today and concerns for the future.  This was hosted on CSPAN-2 for Center for American Progress.  I found the statistics alarming when comparing the United States to up and coming China and India.  In the next 10 years, this panel predicts major changes if we do not improve our education system.  They also stated that the people now retiring are better educated than the young people entering the job market today. 

The emphasis was on making an investment in education, paying particular attention to K through 12.  There is mention of early childhood (birth to 3), but I didn’t get the impression there is all that much focus on it.  Could that be because it’s too hard to capture that audience if these babies are not sent to a facility?  I emailed one of the people on the panel with this concern and there was an agreement that early childhood education is “extraordinarily important.” 

How do you get the attention of parents who have babies?  Research consistently shows there is tremendous brain growth starting at birth.  Are we already behind the ball if we do not make the most of this precious time?  Do not get me wrong, I don’t believe our pre-K kids should be performing division by 2 numbers to qualify, as I understand China does, but to introduce fun in learning which will lead to more learning.  That is the basis of Talking with Baby – involve parents and start with language and literacy.  How can anyone function without language and literacy skills?

So how do concerned citizens get the attention of new parents?   The administration requires language, literacy and parental involvement for early childhood education.  How do educational professionals, caregivers and day cares attain this?  Educating from birth to three is something parents (and only parents) can be in control of completely.  Educators and caregivers are at the mercy of what a parent decides to do in the home.  One day care provider told me she likes to use sign language in her daycare and can tell which parents use it at home and which do not.  Ones that use sign language are better behaved and are happier children. 

What’s worse?  Babies have no control and no choice over the early learning they receive.  Start this minute with your new baby.  It doesn’t mean a small child is plopped in front of the TV or DVD, but receives one on one instruction from the people they love.  Learn and teach a new sign.  Help your child get ready for the future.