The Need
The need for the Small Steps program is great:
• The early years in a child’s life are crucial to establishing a base for later success in school and in life: Research shows that children who enter first grade behind are unlikely to catch up.
• Children in poverty face especially challenging developmental circumstances. These include environments where economic and social stresses are high and exposure to language is limited.
• The effects of early education for children in poverty are impactful and long-lasting. High-quality preschool programs for young children living in poverty contribute to their intellectual and social development in childhood as well as their school success, economic performance, and reduced commission of crime in adulthood.
Early intervention for children in poverty makes a lasting difference.
