Smart Beginnings is a community partnership created to address the needs of young children (0-6) in order for them to be successful in school and later in life.

Interested in spending more time with your child? Check out our Family Time Guide which lists tons of opportunities for you and your children to learn and have fun together!

Why are the early years of a child’s life important?

Because it is the most critical period of brain development! The experiences a child has during his early years builds a foundation for future learning. A good foundation, formed by a variety of positive learning opportunities, leads to success in school and in life. Research shows early learning can provide adults with greater success in life, fewer involvements in crime, higher income and higher education levels. You can help prepare your child for success in life. Browse through the Smart Beginnings sections of this website to find ideas.

90% of the brain's growth occurs from 0 to 5 years old.

Scientists once thought that the development of a child’s brain depended on genes. But now scientists have changed their views and they believe that genes as well as early experiences affect the development of the brain.

The brain is different than the body in that at birth, unlike the rest of the body, the brain is not complete. Its immature and not fully developed.

Each experience an infant has makes a connection between nerve cells in the brain. These connections influence such things as the ability to recognize letters of the alphabet, communicate with language, and form positive relationships. These connections will help a child to be ready to learn when entering kindergarten.

Touching, rocking, talking, smiling, and singing affect the way a child's brain is wired (connected) and helps to shape later learning and behavior.

The brains of children who lack a stimulating environment and who don't play much or are rarely touched are 20-30% smaller than normal for their age.

What does it mean to be prepared for school?

Kindergarten teachers expect children to demonstrate certain skills when entering their classroom. Teachers understand that all children develop at different rates and have different experiences before coming to school. Therefore, they do not expect that children will demonstrate all skills perfectly. The list below is not meant to determine whether a child should or should not enter kindergarten. It was made to give parents an idea of what children need to know to experience success in school when entering kindergarten.

Mathematics:
Recognizes basic shapes and colors
Recognizes number 1-10

Oral Language:
Can recite many nursery rhymes without help
Recognizes rhyming words & sounds orally
Can sit and listen to a story with appropriate interactions
Uses pictures to sequence familiar stories, indicating beginning, middle and end
Retell familiar stories using a beginning middle and end
Can sort and classify by picture
Begins to ask and answer simple questions
Talks in complete sentences of 5 to 6 words
Communicates in clearly understood speech
Follows simple one and two step directions
Speaks clearly when necessary

Reading:
Recognizes letters of the alphabet
Demonstrates comprehension of stories by responding orally
Understands how print is organized and read (Read left to right, top to bottom, match voice with print)

Writing:
Can write first name with age appropriate print
Knows that writing involves making marks that convey meaning on paper
Knows writing goes left to right, top to bottom, on page

Basic life skills:
Can sit still and pay attention for 15 minutes
Shares and takes turns
Has respect for authority
Is responsible for their actions and realizes actions have consequences
Enjoys being and talking with others
Works in groups
Persistent-able to finish a task
Knows right from wrong
Has respect for other people and their property
Takes care of their own property