Young Children: Priority One Facts

Why Target Young Children?

Two decades of child-development research and 30 years of early intervention evaluation indicate the best use of public resources is made during the first three years of life.

Early childhood experts have always pointed to how much children learned in the first three years and pointing to studies that showed young children who lived in a nurturing, educational environment were more successful in school and in life.

Now, thanks to technology that lets us see how the brain operates, we know how the brain operates, we know how the brain develops. Even before birth, this amazing organ is affected by environmental conditions such as nourishment, care, surroundings, and stimulation. After birth, the same continues to be true, especially in the early years.

A child's brain builds connections in response to the stimuli it encounters. Thus, an environment rich in opportunities to touch, taste, see, hear, and experiment help young children construct brains that learn more readily. And a loving, nurturing caregiver helps build brain connections and biochemical responses that will help a child control his emotions and feel safe for the rest of his life.

By working with young children, Kiwanis clubs can set them on a path to learn more, be happier, succeed, and love.

Club Solutions

Clubs can help parents and caregivers develop warm, caring relationships with children by:

Conducting parent-education programs or parenting fairs.
Volunteering in home-visitation programs for pregnant mothers and new parents.
Supporting family resource centers.
Assisting struggling families.

Kiwanians can support high-quality preschool programs by:

Conducting literacy programs.
Providing volunteer hours or funds to child care centers.
Advocating for quality child care.
Creating toy-lending libraries or parent resource programs.

Clubs can combat child abuse and neglect by:

Participating in child abuse prevention programs.
Helping parents find affordable, quality child care.
Assisting respite care centers and Parent Anonymous groups.

Clubs can give children a healthy start to life by:

Educating women on proper prenatal care and nutrition.
Supporting breast-feeding programs.
Conducting immunization, folic acid, or lead-poisoning prevention campaigns.
Funding preschool play and fitness programs.
Supporting children's hospitals through Children's Miracle Network.
Supporting emergency medical services and trauma centers.

Finally, clubs can provide safe environments where children can play, explore, and interact by:

Conducting campaigns on home safety, poison control, burn prevention, and pool drown proofing.
Building or improving playgrounds with equipment and safety measures.
Developing children's programs at zoos, museums, parks, toddler pools, and fitness centers.
Providing intergenerational activities.

Act now. Determine what your community needs and start serving.