Now is the Time to Invest in Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education is an issue of public safety, it is an issue of national security, and it is an issue of economic stability. These were key themes discussed by education experts who gathered in the Bay Area Council’s Sacramento office to discuss the future of early childhood education and the importance of social emotional learning. The meeting was hosted in partnership with Bay Area Council member National University, whose Sanford Inspire program supports social emotional learning and inspirational instruction in PreK-12 classrooms. Sanford Inspire is offered at no cost and is funded through a generous donation made by T. Denny Sanford.

The portal includes modules like “Design a Problem-Based Learning Experience,” “Teaching Students Empathy” and “Developing Behaviors for Cooperative Learning.” A recurring theme during the discussion was the relationship between social emotional learning and soft-skill development for future participation in the workforce. If young children aren’t getting this instruction in the early years, learning skills like communication, collaboration, and problem solving can become more difficult to learn. As technology continues to increase automation, these soft skills will increase in value. It is important to invest in quality early childhood education programs now so that children are equipped for the jobs of the future.  For additional information on the Workforce of the Future and Gender Equity and Diversity Committees, please contact Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Linda Bidrossian.