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WGVU By Leaps & Bounds
00000179-f232-de1b-a9f9-f2fa97a20003Investments in high-quality early childhood care, education, and support programs do more than help children – they also strengthen our workforce and economy. How are communities in West and Southwest Michigan approaching prevention and early intervention in these systems of care? How do the programs benefit children, families, care and education providers, businesses, and taxpayers? Where are the gaps, and how do we fill them? Come along as we take a closer look.

By Leaps & Bounds: Why TALKing with Young Children Matters

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All parents want to give their children a strong start in life. Children are able to learn language before they are born – talking, singing, and pointing stimulate the brain, provide clues to the meaning of words, and build important neural connections in the brain.

Anyone can talk, sing, or point while interacting with a baby or young child as they go about their day – strong connections between caregivers and children are built through eye contact and a loving tone of voice when they respond to facial expressions, coos, babbles, and eventually, words. As children get older, talking to them and answering their questions teaches them about the world, and helps us to know the fascinating person they are becoming!

Great Start
Great Start

Sara Larkin, Supervisor of Special Education, Kentwood Public Schools at the Hamilton Early Childhood Center, and Jessica Turk, Parent Liaison, Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent County are here to discuss. For more information, visit: www.successstartsearly.org, www.greatstartkent.org, and www.kentwoodps.org.

Kentwood Public Schools
Kentwood Public Schools

Shelley Irwin is the host and producer for The Shelley Irwin Show, a news magazine talk-show format on the local NPR affiliate Monday through Friday. The show, broadcast at 9 a.m., features a wide variety of local and national news makers, plus special features.
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