Support for Our Youngest Students, Especially Those Who Need it Most

I am an Early Childhood Education major, and sometime early in my career, I remember reading about a 1964 study by Benjamin Bloom that found that half of the growth in intelligence is made between birth and age four. This study shows why it is so important for our youngest children to be exposed to rich learning experiences. As a Head Start teacher early in my career, I worked with economically disadvantaged preschoolers and their families. This experience validated my beliefs about equity, learning through hands-on activities, teamwork, the importance of parent involvement, and early interventions. This is why I am so disappointed that our state has not yet committed to early childhood education despite clear evidence that preschool experience does make a difference. 

This is why I was excited when I heard about the Building Blocks Hawaii Program that Impact Change Hawaii has started for preschoolers in our geographical area. This twice-a-week program brings together 3-and-4-year-olds and an adult - usually a parent or grandparent - to participate in activities that stress literacy, communication, and social-emotional learning. These students have not had the opportunity to attend a regular preschool. The cost of the tuition is more than their families can afford, while at the same time, the parents earn too much to qualify for the Head Start program. Building Blocks Hawaii is an option for these children and their families.

The Building Blocks Hawaii program is held in a church building. The intent is to have community support for the program which benefits the students and their families. 

Principal Yogi and kindergarten teachers from Kipapa Elementary School also visited the program today. Impact Change Hawaii was formed to support this program and to expand it to other areas. The kindergarten teachers realize the positive impact this program can have on their incoming students.

Back when I was growing up, very few (if any) of my classmates attended preschool so we were all on a level playing field when we started kindergarten. That's not the case today, and there is often a significant difference in socialization, social-emotional, and language and math literacy skills in students who have attended preschool and those without that experience. That is a societal issue that needs to be addressed. This opportunity gap often shows up as an achievement gap when students first enter kindergarten. . It is a classic case of the "haves and the have-nots." 

Until there is a universal preschool program in our state, we need to rely on innovative leaders like Principal Yogi of Kipapa Elementary School who saw a need and sought to find a solution for her families. Thanks to Impact Change Hawaii, her incoming kindergarteners have an opportunity that will prepare them to be successful through the Building Blocks Hawaii program. However, there are challenges, including funding, finding qualified staff, and the availability of facilities. 

Let's work together to address these challenges so that ALL entering kindergarten students are ready for school.

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 "Our Youngest Learners Deserve Our Support" (October 4, 2015)

"Let's Get Moving on Universal Preschool in Hawaii" (March 31, 2019)

"Hawaii's prekindergarten classes lauded for quality, not quantity" (Star-Advertiser, April 26, 2021)

"Executive Office of Early Learning"