WHY EARLY CONNECTIONS?

Early Connections began with the conviction that if adults throughout the community understood the importance of the early years in childhood development, they would be willing to consider ways in which they, as individuals, family members and community participants, could work to ensure a more positive environment for Houston’s youngest citizens.

New scientific research and longitudinal studies have shown that the healthy development of children is dependent upon adequate prenatal care, early intellectual stimulation through interaction with adults, proper nutrition and health care, as well as a nurturing and supportive environment.¹

While parents and other caregivers are generally aware of the important role they play in the healthy development of young children, there is confusion about the specific activities and strategies that are most important to getting children off to a good start. In 2000, a nationwide survey, titled “What Grown-Ups Understand About Child Development,” conducted for CIVITAS and ZERO TO THREE, and BRIO Corporation demonstrated gaps in adults’ knowledge of child development.

In early 2002, Early Connections initiated a similar telephone survey and conducted focus groups to compare the knowledge and opinions of Houston adults with those found in the national survey: Early Connections Survey Results, Early Connections Focus group overview. The results mirrored those in the national study in most categories, confirming that adults are confused about or unaware of important child development milestones, age-appropriate discipline techniques, and the types of activities that stimulate positive development. An important finding of the Houston survey revealed that 70 – 85% of parents, grandparents and non-parents said they wished there were more information available on early childhood development.