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.
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.
The most effective preschools utilize an evidence-based curriculum, such as The Creative Curriculum used at 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).
Leading ECE programs invest in extensively training teachers. For example, during quarterly in-service days at Summit Day School, our teachers practice Serve and Return interactions which reinforce neural pathways essential for language and social skills.
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.