Welcome to Early Learning Health Connections
We leverage health-related resources to support young children and families; so that children in Washington state are healthy and ready for success in school and life. We provide support to individuals and organizations who are working to promote early learning in Washington through policy, systems, and practices.
Why focus on early learning?
Babies are born learning, and the past decade of brain research has given tremendous insight into how children learn; and how adults can best support that learning. The incredible potential young children possess is maximized when their parents and caregivers have the information, skills and services they need to nurture each child’s potential. When this does not happen, children often arrive at kindergarten unprepared. Unfortunately many who start behind never catch up to their peers, or their potential. The good news is that there are proven programs that support families and promote positive outcomes. And there is economic research demonstrating that investing in young children benefits children, families, and society. That is why public and private partners across Washington are coming together to promote early learning systematically. Doctors, other health providers, and health-related organizations are valuable allies in those efforts. Our work helps facilitate early learning-health connections.
What’s health got to do with it?
For young children especially, health and development are intertwined. We need to make sure all aspects of a child’s well-being are supported, including physical health; oral health; social and emotional development and mental health; language and literacy development; and cognitive development. We must address the needs of the whole child. Health care settings are the only place with access to almost all young children and their families. Children’s doctors provide direct care to families to promote child health and development and support parents. Trusted health care providers help families understand how to nurture their child’s potential. Doctors as “champions for young children” can connect families with other resources, help improve community systems, and influence child-friendly policies. For all these reasons, child outcomes will improve if “health” plays an integral, collaborative role in early learning and early childhood systems in Washington state.
Early Learning Health Connections is led by Dr. Jill Sells, a pediatrician, and is a project of Reach Out and Read Washington State. Learn more about Reach Out and Read Washington State at www.reachoutandreadwa.org.