Helping children succeed in life starts with early education

Published: Saturday, May 14, 2011 in New Haven Register
By Steve Higgins, Special to the Register

High-quality early childhood programs help not only with academic preparation, but in every area of a child’s life.

One New Haven toddler started in the United Way Early Head Start program with significant developmental and physical disabilities. Born prematurely, doctors told his mother he would not be able to do normal things. Over the course of 11 months in the Early Head Start program, he made remarkable progress.

“The work that the staff did with that child in the classroom helped him learn to walk and talk,” said Jennifer Heath, executive vice president for United Way of Greater New Haven. “Having child care also allowed his mother to go to work full time to support her family financially. We know that quality early childhood programs are good for kids and good for families.”

That’s the type of success story the United Way will celebrate Thursday at a breakfast for its Success By 6 initiative, which turned 6 years old itself this year. Success By 6 supports area programs that focus on early childhood development.

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