Smart Beginnings

I spent this morning at Lewis Ginter at the Greater Richmond Early Childhood Summit learning about the importance of making sure children are prepared for life, from prenatal stages to preschool. There was amazing data presented about brain development in infants and toddlers: did you know language skills are most impacted in the first six - eight months of a child's life!?! And the Minneapolis Federal Reserve economists studied the cost benefits of preparing young children for school, with outcomes of a $16 to $1 benefit cost ratio (with an 18% annual rate of return!). Most importantly, I learned that the Richmond Region has been, and is committed to continuing, to make sure every child is "ready for school, ready for life." Check out Smart Beginnings and see how you can make a difference!