The Case for Preschool Learning

The early years of a child’s life present a window of extraordinary opportunity…

Like wires in a circuit board, neural pathways are the building blocks of brain architecture. Our experiences lead to the creation of new pathways and shape our brain architecture, which provides the foundation for all future health, behavior, and learning.

While neural connections can form throughout life, the early years are the most active period for establishing new connections. More than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second in the first few years of life. The brain reaches ~80% of its adult volume by age 3. Every day counts.

…and a well-structured early childhood education (”ECE”) program is the richest environment for a child to reach his or her full potential

ECE significantly boosts children’s academic and social outcomes compared to those who skip it and enter kindergarten directly. A 2017 study from Duke University and Brookings found that high-quality pre-K programs improved reading and math scores by 37% and 45%, respectively, for children by third grade compared to peers who did not attend preschool.

Curriculum

The most effective preschools utilize an evidence-based curriculum, such as The Creative Curriculum used at Aspen’s flagship school: Summit Day School. These curricula equip teachers with engaging activities that foster both hard skills (e.g. early literacy) as well as soft skills (e.g. emotional self-regulation).

Professional Development

Leading ECE programs invest in extensively training teachers. For example, during quarterly in-service days at Aspen’s schools, our teachers practice Serve and Return interactions which reinforce neural pathways essential for language and social skills.

Play

Science aside, great preschools also acknowledge that *children should be children.* Children should explore, build, and unleash their imaginations. After all, Einstein remarked, “play is the highest form of research,” acknowledging the power of play to unlock creativity.

However, the ECE industry faces unprecedented hurdles, including childcare deserts, staff retention, and affordability. Aspen Academies was founded to confront these challenges.

Roughly 51% of Americans live in childcare deserts.¹

Turnover for childcare workers was 60%+ higher than for a typical job in 2022.

Across all 50 states, the cost of childcare for two children surpasses average rent, meaning childcare is one of the largest household expenses.