FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Shontel Dixon Mulato
Phone: 480-510-4279
sdixonmulato@firstthingsfirst.org
First Things First serves as a ready resource for parents of babies, toddlers and preschoolers
PHOENIX (August, 2021) – Babies don't come with instruction manuals. That's why First Things First, Arizona's early childhood agency, works to help families of young children feel confident in their role as their child’s first and best teacher.
From birth to age 5, a child’s brain grows more than any other time in their life. And the early years are the best opportunity to develop the brain connections they need to be healthy, capable, successful adults. That’s why FirstThingsFirst.org has tons of resources for raising babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Everything from tips on how to support tummy time for infants to learning how every day back-and-forth interactions help to build early literacy skills.
One of the most unique things about First Things First is that they fund early childhood programs that are locally focused to ensure that families in South Phoenix are getting the services that local parents need most. In the FTF Phoenix South Region, this includes supports such as home visitation programs, parenting education programs and the Quality First program, which helps families have access to quality child care and preschool programs.
As a member of the Phoenix South Regional Council for First Things First, and as a public school administrator in charge of our district’s preschool programs, I see firsthand the benefits of having a voice at the table when determining the specific early childhood needs of our community. Having the ability to structure our preschool programs and services around the issues that are most important to families in our region is essential.
Having options for local decision making has allowed the Tolleson Elementary School District to offer amazing early childhood opportunities to young children in the region that include supports for social/emotional learning, professional development training and coaching for preschool staff and even offer a school-based dental sealant program to early learners!
Our district’s partnership with First Things First has made it possible for families to have access to FREE, high-quality preschool opportunities for 3 and 4-year-old learners that they might not otherwise have, giving them an educational and social/emotional advantage before they enter kindergarten.
The impact of First Things First programs for individual outcomes and on communities is incredible!
Children with access to quality early learning environments, whether at home or in an early childhood program, are more prepared for kindergarten and do better in school. Research shows that when babies, toddlers and preschoolers have caregivers that are engaged in their development, the better they'll do in the long run. Not only academically, but in their relationships with their classmates.
Visit FirstThingsFirst.org to find out about the free programs offered in your area, to read about families being helped in your community or for ways to get involved. Whether you have a child age 5 and younger in your life or not – investing time, energy and resources in helping kids arrive at kindergarten prepared to be successful is not only right, it’s smart.
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About First Things First — As Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First funds early learning, family support and children’s preventive health services to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Decisions about how those funds are spent are made by local councils staffed by community volunteers. To learn more, visit FirstThingsFirst.org.
