Steve Nash: Quality Early Learning For Little MVPs

Look who turned up in the pages of USA Today?

Last week, USA Today included an entire pull-out section on the importance of early learning, and featured Steve on the cover, promoting the huge advantages of investing in early childhood education.  With contributing articles by friend of the Foundation and the Educare Learning Network, Kris Perry of the First Five Years Fund, and Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr., and tips to finding a great early learning program, the insert also included a Q&A with Steve on his interest in the first five years of life and learning.  An excerpt (read the whole article here):

Why is early education so important to you?

My twin daughters were babies when we started supporting early childhood education, first collaborating to create Educare Arizona and going on to work with the First Five Years Fund and Thirty Million Words.  We have too much to gain to let any child grow without giving them everything they need to develop their neuro, physical, and social-emotional health when it matters most.

Steve's seen firsthand the benefits that Educare Arizona has brought to the community.  The longitudinal study being conducted on Educare Schools across the country by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina (pausing to saying congratulations to UNC for a great NCAA season and finals match-up against eventual champions Villanova!) proves that Educare is making a difference.  As Educare Arizona points out in its most recent newsletter, children who begin the Educare program between birth and two years old:

• exceed the national average for school readiness by 9 points;
• demonstrate average vocabulary scores of 96.9, approaching the national mean for all children; and
• enter kindergarten exhibiting average or above average social-emotional skills.

To learn more about Educare Arizona, get on their email list!  Check out educarearizona.org for more information.

Thank you for all you do to advance the potential of kids from across the socio-economic spectrum.  With your continued investment, you're helping to grow health in kids -- one great assist.

With hopes for a peaceful spring,

Jenny

Links:

• Steve Nash With An Educational Assist: USA Today